The VfL squad is currently decidedly reduced due to the number of injured and unavailable players. Over the next few days, the number of individuals in training on the grounds at the Volkswagen Arena will be reduced further still. Prior to the Wolves next league outing, away to Hertha BSC (Saturday, March 31st – 20:30 CET), the Bundesliga takes a break for a round of international games.
Casteels and Origi face Saudi Arabia
In preparations for this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia, the Belgian national team, including the Wolfsburg duo of Koen Casteels and Divock Origi, will take on Saudi Arabia in Brussels. For Yunus Malli and the Turkish national team, there are two test-friendlies on the schedule – initially playing host to Ireland, before then travelling to Montenegro.
Under 21 EURO qualifiers with Brekalo and Dimata
In two outings (against the Czech Republic and Moldova), Josip Brekalo and the Croatian Under 21 selection will be on the hunt for important qualifying points for the Under 21 European Champions, to be held in Italy in 2019. The Belgian Under 21s, with Nany Landry Dimata, also have two matches on their schedule. Aside from a test-friendly against their neighbours from Holland, there will also be Under 21 EURO points up for grabs against Hungary. Goalkeeper Phillip Menzel and the German Under 20s will be in Elite League action against Portugal and Poland. For Gian-Luca Itter, from VfL’s professional squad, as well as his brother Davide Jerome and Yari Otto, there are three qualifying games for the Under 19 EUROs in Finland this July on the cards.
The games with VfL involvement at a glance:
Koen Casteels, Divock Origi (Belgium)
Tuesday, 27th March, 20:45 CET: Belgium – Saudi-Arabia (Test-friendly)
Yunus Malli (Turkey)
Friday, 23rd March, 18:30 CET: Turkey – Ireland (Test-friendly)
Tuesday, 27th March, 19:10 CET: Montenegro – Turkey (Test-friendly)
Josip Brekalo (Croatia U21)
Friday, 23rd March, 16:00 CET: Czech Republic – Croatia (EURO-Qualifier)
Tuesday, 27th March, 16:30 CET: Croatia – Moldova (EURO-Qualifier)
Nany Landry Dimata (Belgium U21)
Thursday, 22nd March, 18.30 CET: Holland – Belgium (Test-friendly)
Monday, 26th March, 20 CET: Belgium – Hungary (EURO-Qualifier)
Phillip Menzel (Germany U20)
Thursday, 22nd March, 17:00 CET: Portugal – Germany (U20 Elite League)
Tuesday, 27th March, 18:00 CET: Germany – Poland (U20 Elite League)
Gian-Luca Itter sowie Davide Itter und Yari Otto (Germany U19)
Wednesday, 21st March, 18:00 CET: Germany – Scotland (EURO-Qualifier)
Saturday, 24th March, 12:00 CET: Germany – Norway (EURO-Qualifier)
Tuesday, 27th March, 18:00 CET: Germany – Holland (EURO-Qualifier)
