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Head to head: Wolfsburg vs. Bayern

How did the training camps go, did they win their friendlies? Who is playing who and when? What are the current standings? DFB.de takes a look at the resumption of the Bundesliga season from a national team perspective. The first fixture is VfL Wolfsburg vs. Bayern München (30th January, 20:30 CET).

VfL Wolfsburg

Representatives in Germany squad: Robin Knoche

League position: 2nd

Points: 34

Winter Break: The winter break was overshadowed by the tragic death of Junior Malanda, who was killed in a car accident on 10th January. The shock is still being felt across Germany. The team travelled to South Africa for their winter training camp (11th-18th January). They beat Ajax Cape Town 4-1 and overcame a 3-1 deficit to win 4-3 against Chippa United. Their final friendly took place in Germany and saw them beat Karlsruher SC 2-1.

Assessment: Wolfsburg want to strengthen their position in second place behind Bayern. The death of Malanda has obviously impacted the club. The challenge is now to maintain high levels of performance despite the tragedy. “I’m sure that we’ll overcome it,” said Dieter Hecking. “We’re second in the league, have a team full of character and sporting ability – we want to show these characteristics during the rest of the season."

Anything else? Things could change at any moment. Wolfsburg are looking to pull off a huge transfer: André Schürrle may be joining from Chelsea. The clubs are echoing the same sentiments but a key detail is missing – signatures. Sporting director Klaus Allofs explained to ARD-Morgenmagazin that: “There are still hoops we need to jump through.”

FC Bayern München

Germany internationals: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Götze, Thomas Müller

League position: 1st

Points: 45

Winter Break: FC Bayern were in Qatar for the fifth year in a row (9th-17th January). The current table toppers played three friendly matches. In Germany they beat VfL Bochum 5-1 and picked up two successes on the road too. They beat the Qatar Stars 4-1 at their training camp. The friendly against Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, which has been the subject of plenty of discussion, saw Bayern triumph 4-1.

Assessment: Bayern have a lot on their plate: The treble is a goal. Thomas Müller believes that the team are ready: “I have a good feeling when I see the condition that our players are in. We’ve not weakened; we’ve trained together for three weeks.” Bayern are full of respect for the Wolves. Ahead of the game Jerome Boateng spoek about their strengths: “They deserve to be up there. They are an aggressive side, attack strongly and are a dangerous team.”

Anything else? The treatment room is looking quite full. Long term sufferers Philipp Lahm, Javi Martínez and Thiago are still missing. Franck Ribéry tore a muscle in the rear of his right thigh and will miss the Wolfsburg game, as will Rafinha, who sprained the lateral collateral ligament in his left ankle.

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How did the training camps go, did they win their friendlies? Who is playing who and when? What are the current standings? DFB.de takes a look at the resumption of the Bundesliga season from a national team perspective. The first fixture is VfL Wolfsburg vs. Bayern München (30th January, 20:30 CET).

VfL Wolfsburg

Representatives in Germany squad: Robin Knoche

League position: 2nd

Points: 34

Winter Break: The winter break was overshadowed by the tragic death of Junior Malanda, who was killed in a car accident on 10th January. The shock is still being felt across Germany. The team travelled to South Africa for their winter training camp (11th-18th January). They beat Ajax Cape Town 4-1 and overcame a 3-1 deficit to win 4-3 against Chippa United. Their final friendly took place in Germany and saw them beat Karlsruher SC 2-1.

Assessment: Wolfsburg want to strengthen their position in second place behind Bayern. The death of Malanda has obviously impacted the club. The challenge is now to maintain high levels of performance despite the tragedy. “I’m sure that we’ll overcome it,” said Dieter Hecking. “We’re second in the league, have a team full of character and sporting ability – we want to show these characteristics during the rest of the season."

Anything else? Things could change at any moment. Wolfsburg are looking to pull off a huge transfer: André Schürrle may be joining from Chelsea. The clubs are echoing the same sentiments but a key detail is missing – signatures. Sporting director Klaus Allofs explained to ARD-Morgenmagazin that: “There are still hoops we need to jump through.”

FC Bayern München

Germany internationals: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Götze, Thomas Müller

League position: 1st

Points: 45

Winter Break: FC Bayern were in Qatar for the fifth year in a row (9th-17th January). The current table toppers played three friendly matches. In Germany they beat VfL Bochum 5-1 and picked up two successes on the road too. They beat the Qatar Stars 4-1 at their training camp. The friendly against Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, which has been the subject of plenty of discussion, saw Bayern triumph 4-1.

Assessment: Bayern have a lot on their plate: The treble is a goal. Thomas Müller believes that the team are ready: “I have a good feeling when I see the condition that our players are in. We’ve not weakened; we’ve trained together for three weeks.” Bayern are full of respect for the Wolves. Ahead of the game Jerome Boateng spoek about their strengths: “They deserve to be up there. They are an aggressive side, attack strongly and are a dangerous team.”

Anything else? The treatment room is looking quite full. Long term sufferers Philipp Lahm, Javi Martínez and Thiago are still missing. Franck Ribéry tore a muscle in the rear of his right thigh and will miss the Wolfsburg game, as will Rafinha, who sprained the lateral collateral ligament in his left ankle.