High-powered German outfit VfL Wolfsburg are in Belgium to face KAA Gent, a surprise entrant to the Champions League knockout rounds — but that by all appearances will be taken quite seriously by Wolfsburg. The Germans soared onto the scene last year with a string of incredible performances in the Bundesliga, and they continued to impress in the Champions League this season even if their domestic form fell off some.
Gent vs. Wolfsburg 2016: Time, TV schedule and live stream for Champions League
Wolfsburg are in high spirits coming into their Champions League tie, with great confidence of coming away with a positive result.
Gent won’t be an easy opponent, though. Gent picked up a reputation for shocking their opponents during the group stage, including three straight jaw-dropping wins against Valencia, Lyon, and Zenit to secure advancement. Belgium has long been underestimated as a footballing nation, but as their national team has found vast improvement, so too have their domestic teams been improving. Now they face their greatest test so far, and Wolfsburg must be on their guard in order to get the result they want and need from this match.
Key player — Julian Draxler (Wolfsburg)
While numerous other players in Wolfsburg’s side are important, Draxler’s somewhat mercurial form coupled with his incredible playmaking potential means that how he plays will almost certainly determine how this match ends. If he’s at his best, Gent will stand little chance, but if he struggles, so will Wolfsburg’s attack. Draxler has been more consistent of late, but if he falters at all Wolfsburg could be in trouble.
Key matchup — Sven Kums (Gent) vs. Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg)
A match like this will often be heavily influence by who best can control the midfield zone, and this should be a tight one. Kums will be trying to knock Draxler off balance, and Gustavo will be doing everything in his power to shield his teammate and keep Kums occupied. It’s going to be a high-intensity duel between the pair of midfielders, and it will bear close scrutiny as they go toe to toe.
Gent injuries and suspensions
Out: Gustav Wikheim (quadriceps), Hannes Van der Bruggen (hip)
Wolfsburg injuries and suspensions
Out: Josuha Guilavogui (hip), Diego Benaglio (rib), Daniel Caligiuri (bruising), Naldo (suspended), Carlos Ascues (knee), Bas Dost (foot), Nicklas Bendtner (excluded)
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: KAA Gent Stadium, Ghent, Belgium
TV: Fox Sports 2 (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), beIN Sports Canada, TSN 3, 4 (Canada), Club RTL, Proximus 11+ (Belgium)
Online: Fox Soccer 2GO, Fox Sports Go, Watch ESPN (U.S.), beIN Sports Connect (Canada),
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