Hecking: Wolfsburg need to be 'wide awake' against Gent

The German is wary of the Belgian side's threat and says his charges must come out fighting from the get go if they're to reach the Champions League quarter-finals

Posted Tuesday, March 08, 2016 by Goal.com

Dieter Hecking has called on his Wolfsburg side to be alive to the threat of a possible Champions League upset in the second leg of their last 16 tie against Gent.

Hecking's side appeared to be cruising through to the quarter-finals when they stormed into a 3-0 lead in Belgium three weeks ago thanks to a brace from Julian Draxler and a strike from Max Kruse.

However, Gent gave themselves a chance heading into the reverse leg as Sven Kums and Kalifa Coulibaly both struck in the final 10 minutes to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

Three away goals in the bag means Wolfsburg remain strong favourites to secure a place in the final eight, but Hecking does not want his men assume the job is done.

"We can't afford to rest upon the result from the first-leg," he told a pre-match news conference. "We need to be wide awake from the outset.

"Our initial situation is good, but we are not through yet. We need a good performance."

"The tension rises now and the team will be well prepared. Freshness could be a decisive factor."

Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels, who was between the sticks in the first leg, is a product of Gent's youth system and says Tuesday's match will be a "special" occasion for him.

"It's special to play against people from your home country, especially in the Champions League. This does not happen many times, but I don't mind. We want to win and go through to the next round," he explained.

"We are in the Champions League to achieve something special by reaching the quarter-finals. We want to achieve as a team."