Babbel: “We want to build on our home form!”

The news that Boris Vukcevic has awoken from him coma is something Babbel also sees as a positive sign and he hopes his side can be inspired by it. Sporting director Andreas Müller is buoyant: “We are always thinking of Boris. It's positive news for everyone, especially for him. When the time is right and his parents give us the ok, then we'll visit him.”

Babbel is expecting a performance from his side that matches the second half in Düsseldorf. “We must build on that and, if we do, I'm confident. We must be more consistent and push ourselves to the absolute limit. We've not managed that yet but if we do, then we'll pick up more points before the Christmas break.” Babbel is aware that Wolfsburg have stabilised and improved since Lorenz-Günther Köstner took control though.

In terms of squad selection, Babbel still has a few players missing. The centre of the defence remains a particular worry as Chris (muscle tear), Jannik Vestergaard (ligament tear) and Marvin Compper, who saw red in Düsseldorf, are all unavailable. Matthieu Delpierre is fit and available though. U23 player Pelle Jensen also has a good chance of playing his second Bundesliga game.

After an average start to the season, the form of Wolfsburg has improved under the guidance of Lorenz-Günther Köstner, recently achieving two wins and a defeat in the Bundesliga. Wolfsburg currently sit in 16th with eleven points. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim currently have one more point and sit in 13th spot.

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