Wolfsburg's Julian Draxler (right) shoots on goal as Gent's Lasse Nielsen tries to block the shot during their Champions League round of 16 first-leg match on Wednesday in Ghent, Belgium. Photo: IC

Julian Draxler's debut season at VfL Wolfsburg after a 35 million euro ($39 million) transfer from Schalke 04 had failed to live up to expectations until he started paying some of the investment back with two goals in their 3-2 win over Gent in the Champions League.

Germany international Draxler was under fire from Schalke fans even before the season started for leaving the Ruhr valley club for which he had played since the age of 8, before he was drawn to cash-rich Wolfsburg in one of the most expensive German transfers.

The 22-year-old was supposed to replace Kevin de Bruyne, who left to join Manchester City, but instead of delivering assists and goals, Draxler saw criticism mount by the week, his string of ­lackluster performances doing little to justify the massive investment.

Until Wednesday, he had failed to live up to the hype of his transfer, with last ­season's Bundesliga runners-up and German Cup winners ­struggling in eighth place in the league.

But the attacking midfielder, a World Cup winner in 2014 at the tender age of 20, stepped up to the plate in Belgium, first launching a move he would complete with a low shot for the lead.

He then showed his stunning skills, flicking the ball through the legs of a ­defender and then chipping it over the keeper for a remarkable 2-0.

Draxler's goals and another from Max Kruse helped them to a 3-0 lead before a late comeback from the Belgians with two goals.

That two-goal spell was yet more evidence this season that Wolfsburg may have massive potential with a talented squad, but their concentration lapses remain a major concern.

"I have very mixed feelings at the moment," Draxler told reporters. "It was by far my best game for Wolfsburg, with two goals. But we basically lost the plot, yet still managed to get a good ­result away."

A good run in the Champions League, with the return leg in Germany next month, could also make Draxler's first season at Wolfsburg equally memorable and profitable.