Dieter Hecking has warned that Wolfsburg's Champions League opponents KAA Gent should not be underestimated, saying: "Anyone who thinks this is an easy draw isn't very well informed."
Both Gent and Wolfsburg are making their debuts in the competition's knockout stages, with the Bundesliga club favourites to progress over the two legs.
Last season's German league runners-up will be without several key players. Keeper Diego Benaglio is out with a rib injury, midfielders Joshua Guilavogui and Daniel Caliguri are also injured and centre-back Naldo is suspended.
Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has not made the trip amid reports that he had not impressed in training.
"There were no other players coming into question," Wolfsburg coach Hecking told reporters at his prematch news conference, shrugging off the exclusion of the Danish attacker.
And he hit out at attitudes towards Gent in Germany, saying: "I don't think Gent are given the respect they are due. Right from the outset, I said that this one is not to be underestimated. We'll need two very good days if we are to move on the quarterfinals."
In the absence of Benaglio, Belgium keeper Koen Casteels is set for his Champions League debut, and Hecking said: "Koen is really excited about the game. He can send a signal out to the Belgian national team."
Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck told his prematch news conference: "When you consider we could have been drawn against opponents such as Barcelona, Chelsea or Bayern, then you might think VfL Wolfsburg was the easiest possible opponent.
"But we will have two very tough games because football is played at the highest level in the Bundesliga, tactically, physically and technically."
Wolfsburg have taken only six points from 10 domestic away matches, and suffered defeats at Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League group stages.