VfL Wolfsburg travel to the Netherlands on Wednesday 17 July to play PSV Eindhoven in their fourth friendly of pre-season (kick-off 19:00 CEST, live on YouTube and the official website via Wölfe TV). For the 24-time Dutch champions, the game at the Philips Stadion represents the dress rehearsal for their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round first leg against FC Basel next Tuesday.
Casteels still sidelined, Knoche doubtful
Wolves head coach Oliver Glasner has already confirmed he will field two separate teams in each half in Eindhoven - as he did in VfL’s previous three friendlies against F.C. Hansa Rostock (W2-1), SM Caen (W2-1) and VVV-Venlo (D2-2). Koen Casteels, who is only expected to return in time for the Green-Whites’ upcoming training camp, remains sidelined, while Robin Knoche missed Tuesday’s session with a heavy cold. It remains to be seen whether the defender will travel to the Netherlands.
“Our toughest opponents so far”
After double training sessions on Monday and Tuesday, the VfL squad will be put through their paces early on Wednesday ahead of their trip to Eindhoven. Glasner’s players will be given Thursday off before flying out to their training camp in Schladming, Austria on Friday.
“On paper, PSV are our toughest opponents of pre-season so far,” Glasner said after training on Tuesday morning. “I’m expecting to face a side who are in better physical shape, sharper and fitter than us at the moment. We’ll be able to draw valuable conclusions from the game, though - just like we did from our previous friendlies. We will see whether the boys can put into practise the things we’ve discussed since the Venlo game.”
