Pre-Match Notes: VfL Wolfsburg Frauen are facing a tough match in their second game of the regular season. In their previous meeting last season, Eintracht Frankfurt managed to score four goals against Wolfsburg. It’s worth noting that Wolfsburg’s defense wasn’t good last season. This was a topic I discussed extensively in my videos.

When it comes to the match against Eintracht Frankfurt, I’m not all that worried about Wolfsburg’s midfield and attack. Wolfsburg has players who can definitely press, connect, and score goals, and while that connection in the attack and in the box needs more touching up, especially with the new additions to the team, it’s eventually going to get to where it needs to be. As the season progresses, the midfield and attack will get stronger and more ruthless.

However, what concerns me about this match against Frankfurt and in Wolfsburg’s upcoming games is Wolfsburg’s backline and defense. It’s great that Wolfsburg has signed some defenders like Nuria Rábano, Camila Küver, and Chantal Hagel, who can play in multiple positions in the backline when needed. However, the backline needs to step up when it comes to their responses against counterattacks, transitions, through balls, and passes behind the backline, as well as clearances. At the same time, there needs to be better support in defense. You can’t just leave Merle Frohms alone in her box to go up against a Frankfurt striker. It didn’t work out last season, and it’s not going to work this season.

Line Up Notes:

4-2-3-1. We have Merle Frohms in the goal. For defenders Lynn Wilms, Kathy Hendrich, Dominique Janssen, and Felicitas Rauch. In the midfield and attack: Lena Oberdorf, Alex Popp, Svenja Huth, Jule Brand, Vivien Endemann, and Ewa Pajor.

We are missing some players. Marina Hegering is out with an injury, Lena Lattwein is out with an illness, and Sveindís Jónsdóttir is also out due to an Achilles injury. Fans were also worried about Brand missing this match because she was also ill after returning from the national team, but she was seen training with the team earlier this week. It’s good that she’s available for this one, because she’s definitely going to be needed in Wolfsburg’s attack.

I’m also guessing Popp, who Wolfsburg announced is playing her 200th league game for VfL Wolfsburg, is going to be dropping back, playing in that defensive/central midfielder role next to Oberdorf, since we’re missing Lattwein for this one. Popp has played there before, and she’ll be able to provide good support in the backline.

As for the midfield and attack, it’s going to be intriguing to observe what Endemann creates in Wolfsburg’s attack. Due to Jónsdóttir’s injury, we could see Endemann starting more frequently on the wings. She’s a quick and agile player, similar to Brandt, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they fare together against Eintracht Frankfurt. As for Pajor, she’s a strong goal scorer, as always, but hopefully, she’ll be able to establish a connection with Brandt, Endemann, or Huth and find the back of the net. That connection in the attack and in the box is crucial for Wolfsburg’s offensive play, and hopefully, we’ll witness it in this game.

First Half Notes:

VfL Wolfsburg 1-1.

Freigang scored from the penalty for Frankfurt, after a bad challenge by Frohms, however Alex Popp was able to tie it up.

In general, this is a really good game to watch so far. There is a lot of back and forth between both sides, however, I think Frankfurt has settled into the game a lot more than Wolfsburg. Their touches between their midfield and attack are more precise, whereas Wolfsburg is still working on that connection between their midfield and attack. There’s a lot of battling going on in the midfield in this first half. It’s kind of back and forth with Wolfsburg winning some battles and Frankfurt winning some as well. However, I want to see better control and possession from Wolfsburg in the midfield. At the same time, there needs to be better awareness from the backline and midfield when Frankfurt is near their box. There have been too many turnovers in Wolfsburg’s defensive third, and that is allowing Frankfurt to create those dangerous touches and passes into the box.

As for Wolfsburg’s attack, I would like to see more chances and services being created. There have been some good ones in the first half, but going into the second half, I want Wolfsburg’s attack to be more aggressive and continue applying pressure to Frankfurt’s backline a lot more.

Regarding Frohms, I am a little surprised with her challenges off the line. It’s one thing to mistime a tackle and make that mistake once, but to do it again, with the same type of challenge and possibly give up another penalty, isn’t good. Her timing needs to be cleaner.

Second Half/Closing Notes:

VfL Wolfsburg wins 4-2.

What a game. This was undoubtedly an exciting match. There was good back and forth in the first half between both sides, but in the second half, Wolfsburg was able to settle in and adjust more effectively. Wolfsburg’s backline and defense improved as the second half progressed. They have certainly been making strides, but it still needs some more fine-tuning. Overall, it was satisfactory; better than expected.

The Wolfsburg midfield and attack were creating some really good chances and services. There was better control and movement in the midfield. Better connection and touches between the midfield, attack, and attacking players. It looks like they’ve been developing that chemistry and connection. I liked watching Wolfsburg’s touches through the midfield and around the box. Of course, the goals in the second half from Obi, Wedermeyer, and Pajor were great. Overall, it was a good performance from the midfield and attack, and it’s great to see that connection in the attack coming together and becoming stronger.

When it comes to individual performances, I was really impressed with Brand and Endemann, especially Endemann. She’s a very fast player, and she seems to be adjusting nicely to Wolfsburg and how the team plays. If Wolfsburg can work on getting young talents Fenna Kalma and Riola Xhemaili adjusted, they will be able to help strengthen Wolfsburg’s attack even more.

It was a tough match for Wolfsburg, but it was a good and exciting game overall. Eintracht Frankfurt, being a formidable team, consistently presents a commendable challenge for Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg’s tenacity and determination in this match showed, proving they’re not about to back down from any challenge without a fight.