Wolfsburg vs Krasnodar preview - Perisic ready for biggest test

Posted Wednesday, November 05, 2014 by PA

Wolfsburg forward Ivan Perisic has branded Thursday's home clash with Krasnodar the biggest game of their Europa League campaign so far.

Victory for the Wolves in the Group H clash would put them in a strong position to progress, having recorded their first win in the pool with a 4-2 success in Russia last time out.

Dieter Hecking's side are on a fine run of form, having won their last six games in all competitions, including a 4-0 win over Stuttgart at the weekend.

They lie second in a tight Europa League group, with only three points separating Everton in first and Krasnodar in fourth. While the Wolves are in action at the Volkswagen Arena, the English side will be at home to Lille.

"This is the most important game for us so far in Europe. If we can win this one, we'll be headed in the right direction," Perisic said on the club website.

His fellow Croatian Ivica Olic added: "We want to progress in the Europa League, to do that we will need a win on Thursday."

Wolfsburg's form has moved them up to second in the Bundesliga, four points behind leaders Bayern Munich, but Olic insisted no one at the club is getting carried away.

"We've only played 10 games so far, so second place is really only a momentary status," said the striker. "That said, if we are still in that position after the last match of the season, I would of course be very happy."

Krasnodar lie third in the Russian Premier League, but they have lost their last two matches in all competitions.