Wolfsburg begin their first ever Champions League campaign when they welcome CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.
Esswein out for hosts while Gonzalez absent for Russians
Wolfsburg kick-off their first ever UEFA Champions League campaign when they welcome CSKA Moscow to the Vfl Stadion on Tuesday.
In a group containing Manchester United it is perhaps fair to say that the remaining teams will be fighting it out for second spot.
However Wolfsburg surprised everyone last season when they won the Bundesliga title and their coach Armin Veh insists that his side are not here to make up the numbers.
Veh has warned his players that they must not be overawed when tackling some of the world's best in Europe this season and is keen to keep his squad on their toes with his selection policies.
To prove his point Veh, who took over from Felix Magath in the summer, has highlighted that not even last season's top scorer Edin Dzeko is guaranteed a place in the side.
Opponents CSKA have only recently appointed former Sevilla and Tottenham manager Juande Ramos as their new head coach and already the Spaniard is beginning to make his mark.
Ramos made a number of changes for his first game in charge at the weekend in which the Russians ran out 3-0 winners over FC Krylya Sovetov Samara and more are expected against Wolfsburg.
The Germans have begun the defence of their title in shaky fashion collecting just six points from their first five games and losing 3-2 at home to Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend.
Team news
The hosts will also be without Alexander Esswein against CSKA, with the striker absent due to a thigh injury.
Wolfsburg, untested at this level, will look towards the likes of Ricardo Costa, Obafemi Martins and Karim Ziani to provide the experience as they have all played Champions League football with Porto, Inter and Marseille respectively.
CSKA are missing former Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez after the pacey wide man injured his thigh.
The Russians will be looking to improve their away form in the competition having won just once, a 3-1 success at PSG in 2004, in their 12 previous group games away from home.
