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Over the last year, Wolfsburg have proved to be a frustrating opponent for Bayern Munich. First they handed Pep Guardiola's team a humiliating loss just over a year ago as the Bundesliga came out of its winter break, then they managed to eke out a win in the DFL-Supercup at the start of this season. Sure, Guardiola and company already thumped them 5-1 in the league this season as a measure of revenge and then again in the DFB-Pokal, but you know they're just itching to give Wolfsburg another pasting before Guardiola leaves at the end of the season.
But Wolfsburg aren't going to go quietly into that good night just because Bayern want them to. Yes, they've struggled much more this season without Kevin De Bruyne than they were hoping to when they sold the midfielder to Manchester City this summer, but they're still good for an explosive game at any time. Max Kruse and Julian Draxler make for a potent attacking combination, and their hard-nosed style can give anyone trouble -- even a team as mighty as Bayern.
Just because Bayern look like a dominant force coming into this match doesn't mean that Wolfsburg are already done for. Bayern-Wolfsburg has been one of those fixtures where anything can happen in recent years -- and anything often does happen.
Key player -- Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg)
Against a team as possession-focused as Bayern are, Gustavo and his powerhouse, disruptive style in midfield will be absolutely vital to Wolfsburg's defensive efforts. His ability to keep opposing midfielders uncomfortable is nearly unmatched in the Bundesliga, and he's made his presence felt against Bayern plenty of times. If he can keep his former teammates off-balance one more time, Wolfsburg might just be able to snag the upset victory they so dearly desire.
Key matchup -- Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg) vs. Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
Rodriguez has been taking steady strides forward in his career over the past couple of years to become one of the finest young left backs in Europe. On Saturday, though, his skills will be sorely test by Robben, who has lately been showing that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. The Dutch winger may not have the speed he once did, but his skill and trickery and smarts on the ball are still plenty in evidence, and Rodriguez will have to play very, very well to keep Robben in check.
Wolfsburg injuries and suspensions
Out: Jannes Horn, Daniel Caligiuri, Josuha Guilavogui, Diego Benaglio, Sebastian Jung, Bas Dost, Bruno Henrique
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Rafinha, Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez, Holger Badstuber, Milos Pantovic, Tom Starke, Julian Green
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 9:30 a.m. ET, 3:30 p.m. local
Venue: Volkwagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany
TV: Fox Sports 2 (U.S.), Sportnet One (Canada), Sky Bundesliga 2/HD (Germany)
Online: Fox Soccer 2 Go, Fox Sports Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany)