A Julian Draxler strike has helped Wolfsburg secure a 1-0 win against CSKA Moscow in their Champions League Group B clash at the Volkswagen-Arena.
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The early stages of the game were punctuated by challenges and fouls, with the first chance not coming until the 11th minute when Bas Dost slammed a header just over the crossbar.
Wolfsburg kept on piling the pressure, with Luis Gustavo seeing his ferocious shot on the edge of the box frantically charged down just after the quarter-hour mark.
Andre Schurrle then registered the best chance of the game when he was given time inside the CSKA box to rifle a low strike down the middle, but Igor Akinfeev pulled off a fine save to keep the effort out.
With just five minutes until the break, Dieter Hecking's charges succeeded in breaking the deadlock as Draxler thumped a header towards goal, and despite Akinfeev's initial save, the 21-year-old was able to stab home the rebound to put Wolfsburg into the lead.
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The hosts picked up from where they left off after the restart, with Nicklas Bendtner, Max Kruse and Naldoall weighing in with dangerous chances against their increasingly rattled opponents.
CSKA were able to work their way back into the game midway through the second half and threatened through Zoran Tosic and Roman Emerenko, but Wolfsburg countered through the livewire Schurrle, who skipped past a series of challenges and dragged his shot narrowly wide of the left post.
Ultimately the hosts were able to see the game out and, despite only winning by a goal, it was a relatively easy win for last season's DFB-Pokal winners.
Germany international Draxler completed a move to the club from Bundesliga rivals Schalke on transfer deadline day, as Wolfsburg sought to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne's departure to Manchester City.
And Draxler wasted little time in endearing himself to the home faithful, firing in from close range with five minutes remaining in the first half at the Volkswagen Arena.
Wolfsburg's previous season in the Champions League, in 2009-10, also began at home to CSKA, when the German outfit prevailed 3-1 and exactly six years to the day it was a similarly fruitless trip for the visitors.
Leonid Slutsky's side came into Tuesday's clash with a five-point lead after eight games in the Russian Premier League, but created few chances of note as Wolfsburg ran out worthy winners.
Next up for Wolfsburg in Group B is a trip to Manchester United, while CSKA will return home to face Dutch champions PSV.
The home side made the brighter start and threatened for the first time in the 11th minute when Bas Dost rose highest to meet a Christian Trasch cross, but he could only head the right-wing delivery over the crossbar.
As Wolfsburg continued to press, Draxler slipped in Andre Schurrle midway through the half but CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev raced from his line and produced a fine save with his outstretched left boot to deny the former Chelsea man.
CSKA eventually made some inroads into opposition territory 10 minutes prior to the break, only for Alan Dzagoev to blaze a wild effort over.
Daniel Caligiuri should have put Wolfsburg in front shortly afterwards, but he delayed his shot with just Akinfeev to beat, which allowed Georgi Schennikov to recover and make a tackle.
CSKA's respite was brief, however, as Draxler slammed home after Akinfeev had parried his initial header from Max Kruse's cross.
The visitors grew into the game in the second period and Diego Benaglio was finally called into serious action in the 70th minute when he got down to his left to keep out Pontus Wernbloom's header.
With 15 minutes remaining, Schurrle snatched at a chance after making space for himself inside the area and shot wide, but it made little difference as Wolfsburg's unbeaten start to 2015-16 continued.
Wolfsburg 1-0 CSKA Moscow: First Draxler goal earns
Bundesliga side all three points
The summer signing from Schalke opened his account for the club in the Champions League clash, with the Bundesliga side recording their first victory of 2015-16
Julian Draxler's first goal for Wolfsburg gave the German side a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in their Champions League group stage opener on Tuesday. Germany international Draxler completed a move to the club from Bundesliga rivals Schalke on transfer deadline day, as Wolfsburg sought to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne's departure to Manchester City.
And Draxler wasted little time in endearing himself to the home faithful, firing in from close range with five minutes remaining in the first half at the Volkswagen Arena.
Wolfsburg's previous season in the Champions League, in 2009-10, also began at home to CSKA, when the German outfit prevailed 3-1 and exactly six years to the day it was a similarly fruitless trip for the visitors.
Leonid Slutsky's side came into Tuesday's clash with a five-point lead after eight games in the Russian Premier League, but created few chances of note as Wolfsburg ran out worthy winners.
Next up for Wolfsburg in Group B is a trip to Manchester United, while CSKA will return home to face Dutch champions PSV.
The home side made the brighter start and threatened for the first time in the 11th minute when Bas Dost rose highest to meet a Christian Trasch cross, but he could only head the right-wing delivery over the crossbar.
As Wolfsburg continued to press, Draxler slipped in Andre Schurrle midway through the half but CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev raced from his line and produced a fine save with his outstretched left boot to deny the former Chelsea man.
CSKA eventually made some inroads into opposition territory 10 minutes prior to the break, only for Alan Dzagoev to blaze a wild effort over.
Daniel Caligiuri should have put Wolfsburg in front shortly afterwards, but he delayed his shot with just Akinfeev to beat, which allowed Georgi Schennikov to recover and make a tackle.
CSKA's respite was brief, however, as Draxler slammed home after Akinfeev had parried his initial header from Max Kruse's cross.
The visitors grew into the game in the second period and Diego Benaglio was finally called into serious action in the 70th minute when he got down to his left to keep out Pontus Wernbloom's header.
With 15 minutes remaining, Schurrle snatched at a chance after making space for himself inside the area and shot wide, but it made little difference as Wolfsburg's unbeaten start to 2015-16 continued.
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