Football United

There was a double shock for the Wolves coach to digest as he heard the news that his two best midfielders D'Alessandro and Hristov, will miss Saturday's Bundesliga round five away trip to Hansa Rostock. Both players played superbly in VfL's emphatic 3-0 home win over Schalke last weekend. Hristov scored twice on that day. D'Alessandro returned to the side after an absence of almost four months, and played as if he'd never been away.

Hristov to undergo surgery today

A computer tomography on Thursday revealed that the Bulgarian, who joined the Wolves from Kaiserslautern at the start of the season, has an enlarged tear in his meniscus and will undergo surgery today (17.9.04). D'Alessandro had been on international duty with Argentina for almost four months. The little midfield general came second in the Copa America competition and won gold at the recent Olympic Games in Athens. The Argentinean whirlwind has a groin problem which could sideline him for some time.

Rostock no seaside picnic

Past games in the Ostseestadion have proved that Hansa Rostock is a tough force at home. Most people believe that their current position in the Bundesliga table (13th), does not reflect the quality within coach Schlunz' side. The East Coast side lost 2-3 at home to Kaiserslautern last Sunday and will be desperate to make amends for that result.

Beware of Allbäck...

Rostock's recent signing from the English Premier League club Aston Villa Marcus Allbäck, is a seasoned Swedish international and scored twice on his debut against Lautern. The Wolves defence will have to be on its toes to stifle the danger posed by the Swede.

Thiam and Petrov?

Wolves coach Erik Gerets is understandably disappointed that he will be without his first choice midfield duo, but has adequate strength in depth within his squad. He could call up Martin Petrov and Pablo Thiam to replace the injured D'Alessandro and Hristov.

Probable line-ups:

Hansa Rostock: 1 Schober - 3 Möhrle, 14 Persson, 5 K. Madsen - 2 Tjikuzu, 6 Maul - 7 Rydlewicz, 17 Lantz, 27 T. Rasmussen - 24 Allbäck, 11 Prica

VfL Wolfsburg: 1 Jentzsch - 18 Quiroga, 5 Schnoor, 29 Hofland - 2 Rytter, 27 Karhan, 21 M. Petrov, 6 Thiam, 7 Weiser - 13 Brdaric, 9 Klimowic

Source: vfl-wolfsburg.de