{"id":1133968,"date":"2021-03-23T20:00:43","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T20:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1133968"},"modified":"2021-03-23T20:39:55","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T20:39:55","slug":"wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-champions-league-uefa-nearly-zidane","status":"publish","type":"cult-corner","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-champions-league-uefa-nearly-zidane\/","title":{"rendered":"Where are they now? The 2016 Wolfsburg team that nearly stopped Real Madrid&#8217;s UCL domination before it began"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Real Madrid have won more Champions Leagues than any other side in history.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Five years ago they had won 10, which was three more than Milan. Since Barcelona&#8217;s 2015 win in Berlin, however, Los Blancos have rocketed ahead to 13 Champions League wins. As if doing that wasn&#8217;t impressive enough, they won those three Champions League titles consecutively, marking the first time someone had performed a &#8220;threepeat&#8221; since Bayern Munich in the late 1970s.<\/p>\n<p>Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane won the Champions League in each of his first three seasons as a head coach, it was incredible dominance. But it so nearly didn&#8217;t happen.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1134184\" style=\"width: 4262px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1134184\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1134184\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141434\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005733.jpg\" alt=\"Madrid's coach (L-R)\u00a0Trainer Zinedine Zidane,\u00a0assistant coach David Bettoni, and goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis sit on the bench during the Champions League quarter final soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Real Madrid in the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Germany, 06 April 2016. \" width=\"4252\" height=\"3108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141434\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005733.jpg 4252w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141434\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005733-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141434\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005733-768x561.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141434\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005733-1024x748.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141434\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005733-66x48.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4252px) 100vw, 4252px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1134184\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0PETER\u00a0STEFFEN\/dpa<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Back in 2015\/16, with Zidane as a mid-season replacement for Rafa Benitez, Real Madrid shockingly lost their quarter-final first-leg 2-0 away to Wolfsburg. Asked whether his job was on the line at the time, Zidane said: &#8220;We are playing to save our season. We know that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Los Blancos turned it around in the second leg &#8211; in which Zidane ripped his trousers (see below) &#8211; thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick (this tie was really the beginning of the Portuguese&#8217;s utter dominance of Champions League goalscoring).<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Zidane needs to go back to ripping his pants again. Someone get Zidane some flimsier trousers. Those were simpler times. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ICu3L8WHt9\">pic.twitter.com\/ICu3L8WHt9<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Real Champs (@TheRealChampsFS) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheRealChampsFS\/status\/952231859345338374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The result had profound implications that would shape the course of European Cup history over the next few years. But what happened to that Wolfsburg side? Where are those players now? We&#8217;ve had a look, so read on and find out.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Starters:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>Diego Benaglio<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1134000\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162959\/1133968_1133968_diego-benaglio-wolfsburg-2017.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162959\/1133968_1133968_diego-benaglio-wolfsburg-2017.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162959\/1133968_1133968_diego-benaglio-wolfsburg-2017-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162959\/1133968_1133968_diego-benaglio-wolfsburg-2017-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162959\/1133968_1133968_diego-benaglio-wolfsburg-2017-66x40.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 37<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Goalkeeper<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a0321<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a00<br \/>\n<strong>Retired in:<\/strong> 2020<\/p>\n<p>Wolfsburg&#8217;s legendary goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was coming to the end of his time with the German club when he pitched a shut-out against Real Madrid. His massive save from Cristiano to preserve Wolfsburg&#8217;s clean sheet was supreme. Left Monaco at the end of the 2019\/20 league season and retired from the game.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Vieirinha<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 35<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Full-back<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a0163<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a07<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0PAOK<\/p>\n<p>The flying winger who was forced to play full-back played out of his skin against Los Blancos. The Portuguese lasted one more season before moving back to Greece to play for PAOK (who he left to join Wolfsburg in the first place). He&#8217;s still there today, and has a Greek Superleague and two Greek cups to his name.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Naldo<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1134005\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163007\/1133968_1133968_naldo-wolfsburg-2016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163007\/1133968_1133968_naldo-wolfsburg-2016.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163007\/1133968_1133968_naldo-wolfsburg-2016-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163007\/1133968_1133968_naldo-wolfsburg-2016-768x506.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163007\/1133968_1133968_naldo-wolfsburg-2016-66x43.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 38<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Centre-back<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a0163<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a020<br \/>\n<strong>Retired in:<\/strong> 2020<\/p>\n<p>The colossal Brazilian centre-back was sublime against Real Madrid (in the first leg) and helped keep Madrid&#8217;s high-powered attack at bay. He retired in 2020 after a stint with Monaco and is currently a first-team coach at Schalke 04.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Dante<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 37<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Centre-back<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a033<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a01<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Nice<\/p>\n<p>Dante was eager for vengeance having experienced a double-dose of humiliation in 2014 losing 5-0 to Real Madrid and 7-1 to Germany. Unleashed all his fury to bottle up the Bernabeu beasts, especially Ronaldo. Was his only season at Wolfsburg, and he&#8217;s currently at Nice where he&#8217;s become a pillar of consistency for the French side as captain.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Ricardo Rodriguez<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1196683\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"762\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-768x572.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-100x74.jpg 100w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-66x49.jpg 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-180x134.jpg 180w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-323x240.jpg 323w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-806x600.jpg 806w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-363x270.jpg 363w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203838\/1133968_1133968_ricardo-rodriguez-wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-240x179.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 28<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Left-back<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a0184<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a022<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Torino<\/p>\n<p>Wolfsburg&#8217;s flying Swiss wing-back was, for years, the talk of the town and linked with just about everyone in Europe. Against Madrid he showed why, with a dominant display down the left. Opened the scoring with a nerveless penalty kick, too. Has since moved to Milan, where he did well for a poor side, went on loan to PSG after being usurped by Theo Hernandez and then joined Torino that summer.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Josuha Guilavogui<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 30<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Defensive midfield<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong> 214<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong> 11<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Wolfsburg<\/p>\n<p>This powerful defensive midfielder was tasked with stopping Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, and he put in a display that would have made parent club Atl\u00e9tico Madrid proud. He was on loan then, but has since joined Wolfsburg permanently where he still is to this day.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Luiz Gustavo<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1134002\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163002\/1133968_1133968_luiz-gustavo-wolfsburg-2016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163002\/1133968_1133968_luiz-gustavo-wolfsburg-2016.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163002\/1133968_1133968_luiz-gustavo-wolfsburg-2016-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163002\/1133968_1133968_luiz-gustavo-wolfsburg-2016-768x552.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163002\/1133968_1133968_luiz-gustavo-wolfsburg-2016-66x47.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 33<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Defensive midfield<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a0141<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a012<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Fenerbahce<\/p>\n<p>A phenomenal defensive midfielder, Luiz Gustavo was a wrecking ball for Wolfsburg and helped stamp out the Madrid threat, protecting his defence. Is currently playing in Turkey for Fenerbahce where they sit third in the table.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Bruno Henrique<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_1134183\" style=\"width: 2194px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1134183\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1134183\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141056\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005695.jpg\" alt=\"Wolfsburg's Bruno Henrique (R) and Madrid's Sergio Ramos vie for the ball during the Champions League quarter final soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Real Madrid in the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Germany, 06 April 2016.\" width=\"2184\" height=\"1669\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141056\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005695.jpg 2184w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141056\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005695-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141056\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005695-768x587.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141056\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005695-1024x783.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/28141056\/1133968_1133968_PA-26005695-66x50.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2184px) 100vw, 2184px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1134183\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo:\u00a0CARMEN\u00a0JASPERSEN\/dpa<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 30<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Wing-forward<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a017<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a00<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong>\u00a0Flamengo<\/p>\n<p>Barely played for Wolfsburg but against Real Madrid he got it done, pulling out a sublime low cross to create his side&#8217;s second goal. He is now an accomplished veteran who last year helped Flamengo to the Copa Libertadores and Club World Cup final, winning the former.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Max Arnold<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 26<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Attacking midfield<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong> 303<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong> 34<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Wolfsburg<\/p>\n<p>Maximilian Arnold was a young prospect when he scored Wolfsburg&#8217;s second against Real Madrid. He has remained at Wolfsburg and is the leading light for his side as they fight their way up the Bundesliga table. Currently they&#8217;re third and looking good to secure a return to the Champions League for the first time since that tie against Madrid.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1196682\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-768x506.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-100x66.jpg 100w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-66x43.jpg 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-80x53.jpg 80w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-180x118.jpg 180w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-365x240.jpg 365w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-912x600.jpg 912w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-370x244.jpg 370w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/23203710\/1133968_1133968_max-arnold-max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-1-240x158.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Julian Draxler<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 27<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Winger<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a045<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a08<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> PSG<\/p>\n<p>Julian Draxler was barely at Wolfsburg for a year and a half, but he still found time to help them beat Real Madrid. Joined PSG in January 2017 and is still there to this day, albeit their star-studded squad has seen his playing time reduced.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Andre Schurrle<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1133997\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162954\/1133968_1133968_andre-schurrle-wolfsburg-2016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"652\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162954\/1133968_1133968_andre-schurrle-wolfsburg-2016.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162954\/1133968_1133968_andre-schurrle-wolfsburg-2016-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162954\/1133968_1133968_andre-schurrle-wolfsburg-2016-768x489.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162954\/1133968_1133968_andre-schurrle-wolfsburg-2016-66x42.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 30<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Forward<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a063<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a013<br \/>\n<strong>Retired in:<\/strong> 2020<\/p>\n<p>Schurrle&#8217;s journeyman career has currently got him in Moscow playing for Spartak, but back in 2016 he was leading the line for Wolfsburg (his 12 goals that season is the third-highest total of his career). Won the penalty against Madrid and spent all night running at the centre-backs. Retired in July 2020 at the age of 29, admitting he had lost his enjoyment of top level football due to the mental demands.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Subs:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>Christian Trasch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 33<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Midfielder<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a0142<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a01<br \/>\n<strong>Retired in:<\/strong> 2020<\/p>\n<p>Trasch was a solid squad player for Wolfsburg. Came on late against Madrid to beef up the defence. Retired in 2020.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Max Kruse<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1134004\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163006\/1133968_1133968_max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"787\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163006\/1133968_1133968_max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163006\/1133968_1133968_max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-300x231.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163006\/1133968_1133968_max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-768x590.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27163006\/1133968_1133968_max-kruse-wolfsburg-2016-66x51.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 33<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Forward<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a043<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a09<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Union Berlin<\/p>\n<p>Kruse played just one season for Wolfsburg and wasn&#8217;t particularly productive, hence coming off the bench against Madrid. He played alongside Luiz Gustavo for Fenerbahce but saw his contract recently terminated, now playing for Union Berlin.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Marcel Schafer<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 36<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Left-back<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a0268<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a015<br \/>\n<strong>Retired in:<\/strong>\u00a02018<\/p>\n<p>Schafer was a Wolfsburg legend, playing over 250 games for the club. He left in 2017 and after a season playing for Tampa Bay he retired in 2018.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Unused subs:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>Bas Dost<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1133998\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162956\/1133968_1133968_bas-dost-wolfsburg-2016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"712\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162956\/1133968_1133968_bas-dost-wolfsburg-2016.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162956\/1133968_1133968_bas-dost-wolfsburg-2016-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162956\/1133968_1133968_bas-dost-wolfsburg-2016-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/02\/27162956\/1133968_1133968_bas-dost-wolfsburg-2016-66x46.jpg 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 31<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Striker<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a0117<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a048<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Frankfurt<\/p>\n<p>The supreme goal-poacher was going through a disappointing down-season (having lost his creative sidekick Kevin de Bruyne) and was mostly on the bench. Has since had a career renaissance in Portugal with Sporting and after a neat spell back in the Bundesliga in Frankfurt is currently in Belgium with Club Brugge doing very well.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Carlos Ascues<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 28<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Defensive midfield<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong>\u00a02<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a00<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> FBC Melgar<\/p>\n<p>Ascues was a bit-part player for Wolfsburg and is currently back in his native Peru with FBC Melgar.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Robin Knoche<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 28<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Centre-back<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong> 226<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong> 14<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Union Berlin<\/p>\n<p>Knoche was a young prospect in 2015\/16 but has since become a regular squad member for the Wolves, whom he recently left. Is currently playing alongside Bas Dost with Union Berlin.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Koen Casteels<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> 28<br \/>\n<strong>Position:<\/strong>\u00a0Goalkeeper<br \/>\n<strong>Wolfsburg appearances:<\/strong> 171<span id=\"urn:enhancement-407079f4-2e11-44c9-864c-b9638a2f2c64\" class=\"textannotation\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Wolfsburg goals:<\/strong>\u00a00<br \/>\n<strong>Current club:<\/strong> Wolfsburg<\/p>\n<p>Casteels graduated from back-up to starter when Benaglio left, a role he still occupies today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Real Madrid have won more Champions Leagues than any other side in history. Five years ago they had won 10, which was three more than Milan. Since Barcelona&#8217;s 2015 win in Berlin, however, Los Blancos have rocketed ahead to 13 Champions League wins. As if doing that wasn&#8217;t impressive enough, they won those three Champions&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":204,"featured_media":1196681,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"How Wolfsburg nearly stopped Real Madrid's recent UCL domination in 2016 before it began","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1133968","cult-corner","type-cult-corner","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Wolfsburg nearly stopped Real Madrid&#039;s recent UCL domination in 2016 before it began<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/wolfsburg-real-madrid-2016-champions-league-uefa-nearly-zidane\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Where are they now? 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