Dieter Hecking discusses landmark game and playing styles

Dieter Hecking discusses landmark game and playing styles

VfL Wolfsburg will face SC Freiburg on Sunday in a key fixture for both sides. While the hosts are hunting a place in Europe, Wolfsburg will play for three points that could take them out of the automatic relegation spots.

For Dieter Hecking, it will also be a momentous occasion. The 61-year-old coach will be the tenth man in Bundesliga history to reach 450 matches. Following his first-ever relegation with Bochum last term, the quest is to avoid a similar fate with the club he previously won the DFB-Pokal with.

“That’s a nice number," Hecking said about his achievement before an honest reflection about the current trend. "I don't know if we’ll see it repeated in the future many times because the coaching business has become much more fast-paced.

“Every Bundesliga game in itself is still a holiday for me. And I'm also looking forward to my 450. Whether it’s my 451st or 13th, for me, Bundesliga will always be a highlight occasion."

Wolfsburg will lock horns with the only two Bundesliga teams left in the European competitions before their trip to direct rivals St. Pauli on the final matchday. Before their last home game of the season against the champions Bayern Munich, three points are needed against Europa League semi-finalists Freiburg.

"I expect a very intense game," Hecking warns his side before analysing Freiburg’s late defeat in Braga. "It was a totally balanced game, and they still have all the opportunities to reach the final. I always praise Freiburg. And I believe their squad gives them two strong teams. They can switch without a drop in performance.”

Hecking also looked back at his previous experience of facing a club in two competitions late in a season. Back in 2009/10, Nürnberg lost 4-0 to Hamburger SV, who had been knocked out of the Europa League by in the semi-final only two days earlier.