Wolfsburg Draw Not Easy – Paul Le Guen

A spirited performance last night from Paris Saint-Germain saw them hammer FC Twente 4-0 to progress to the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup. Of course, this is where the competition really begins to heat up and, although PSG’s third placed finish meant they avoided any of the sides relegated from the Champions League, they have been drawn against a side head coach Paul Le Guen feels is very strong.

Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg will be les Parisiens’ opponents in February after they remained unbeaten in a very competitive looking Group E, something that Le Guen was keen to stress when talking to his club’s official website about the tie.

“This is not an easy draw because Wolfsburg are a very solid side,” he said. “Their journey in the competition to date demonstrates this. After they eliminated Rapid Bucharest in the first round, they remained invincible in a group of very high quality.

“We also know that they have an ability to move opposing defences. Bosnian international striker Edin Dzeko is coveted by many clubs and, along with former Le Mans striker, Grafite, they have two very good attacking players.

“Defensively, they are also very strong with the two Italian world champions; Andrea Barzagli and Cristian Zaccardo.”

PSG’s UEFA Cup campaign has already taken them to Germany, where they were beaten 2-1 by Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen. By happy coincidence, while scouting Die Knappen, the Parisian scouts happened to watch them play Wolfsburg. The reports seem to suggest that the Parc des Princes club face a daunting task.

“Our attentions were turned to Schalke but Wolfsburg made a very strong impression,” Le Guen explained, talking of a game that finished 2-2. “This match promises to be difficult but exciting.”

Robin Bairner, Goal.com