Sunshine welcomed VfL Wolfsburg in Lille on Wednesday as they landed. The relatively warm weather in northern France, compared with temperatures back home, will give the current second-placed Bundesliga side renewed hope and strength for their all-or-nothing encounter in the Europa League. Pleasant anticipation ahead of Thursday’s clash with OSC Lille (21:05 CET) is far greater than the fear of failure.

“The probability of us reaching the next round is fairly high as long as we play to our full potential in Lille,” said VfL sporting director Klaus Allofs prior to Wolfsburg’s final and decisive group game. A draw is enough to see the Bundesliga club reach the next round.

De Bruyne: “It’s like a cup game: All or nothing”

Internationally experienced midfielder Kevin De Bruyne gives advice to his team mates: “We can’t be afraid. It’s like a cup game: All or nothing.” For keeper Diego Benaglio, who has fully recovered from his minor wrist injury, the direct duel for the second place finish in Group H is also a question of honour: “Our recent performances in the Bundesliga were great and now we have the chance to make 2014 an even better year than it already has been.”

Wolfsburg have come to France with a considerable level of momentum on their side, after having set a new club record with 29 points from 14 Bundesliga games. Furthermore, Wolfsburg controlled Lille, who currently in 15th place in France’s Ligue 1, in the first leg and were unfortunate only to get a 1-1 draw. “All we need is a point, but we can’t allow ourselves to depend on that,” warned Ivica Olic. The 35-year-old Croatian striker will likely lead the line against Lille. New signing Nicklas Bendtner is unavailable for the third consecutive game due to sickness.

Allofs denies rumours: “I don’t want to give any players away”

Surprisingly, Aaron Hunt didn’t make the squad against Lille. This, according to Allofs, is not a reaction to an article from the Sport Bild, which stated that Hunt had already contacted Werder Bremen about a potential return. “A loan deal is not an option for us,” said Allofs. The midfielder would also not be for sale during the winter transfer period. “I don’t want to give any players away.”

Josuha Guilavogui is expecting a special game in the Grand Stade. The Frenchmen knows OSC Lille very well from his time in the Ligue 1 and warned: “Lille are always dangerous. On good days they can beat anybody.” Guilavogui admitted that he has a terrible record against “Les Dogues” and jokingly asked the journalists not to let the manager know. “I don’t want to sit on the bench.”