Pre-Match Notes: VfL Wolfsburg’s 4-0 win last weekend against SC Freiburg showed that there is still life and energy in this team. Despite multiple players being out due to injury, and despite Alexandra Popp having to leave the match early due to injury, Wolfsburg pulled through and pulled off a great and impressive win.

In the match against Freiburg, there was good control and possession from Wolfsburg, great drive and press in the attack, and good connection in the attack. On the other hand, Wolfsburg still needs to work on their connection in the box, but with more training and games, it will get to where it needs to be.

As for Wolfsburg’s defense, the backline was stable and better organized, and as I pointed out in my video/article last weekend, they appeared to be more disciplined. It looked as though the team has been working on the backline and defense, which is something that is desperately needed.

When it comes to this match against MSV Duisburg, what we’re needing to see from Wolfsburg now and moving forward is consistency in all areas: Defense, midfield, and attack. I want to see Wolfsburg continuing to work on their connection in the attack and in the box, continue to build their chemistry as a team, and find their attacking rhythm again. I would also like to see better control and movement in the midfield.

There especially needs to be consistency in the backline. The backline can’t do well in one game and then fall apart in the next game. The same could also be said about Wolfsburg’s attack. The attack and midfield can’t decide to press and get their attack forward in one game, then not do it in the next.

A challenge for Wolfsburg right now is going to be building consistency, especially with players like Fenna Kalma, Riola Xhemaili, Nuria Rábano, Vivien Endemann, and also Jule Brand. As long as Wolfsburg continues improving and getting better, the consistency will show itself.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Merle Frohms in the goal. For defenders Lynn Wilms, Kathy Hendrich, Marina Hegering, and Nuria Rábano. In the midfield and attack: Chantal Hagel, Lena Lattwein, Jule Brand, Svenja Huth, Ewa Pajor, and Fenna Kalma.

Good line up. This line up shares some similarities with last weekend’s line up. The backline is unchanged, which is fine because I thought these four defenders, Wilms, Hendrich, Hegering, and Rábano, did well in the match against SC Freiburg. Now, the challenge is improving the backline and building that consistency and stability. It’s especially great to see Rábano starting again. She has great touches on the ball and is a quick player, able to keep up with an opposing team’s attackers and runners. Her pace is definitely a must in Wolfsburg’s backline.

As for the rest of the line-up, only two changes from last week: Jule Brand is starting in place for Vivien Endemann, and Fenna Kalma is starting in place for Alexandra Popp. Popp is available off the bench, but it’s great to see Kalma starting and getting more playtime. I would like to see her score some goals in this match and continue to build her connection and chemistry in the attack. I’m also interested to see how Brand will do in this match. I would like to see her pressing in the attack, creating chances, and hopefully scoring as well.

First Half Notes

VfL Wolfsburg 2-0.

It’s not a bad performance from Wolfsburg so far. Two great goals from Fenna Kalma and Ewa Pajor. As the first half went on, Wolfsburg’s pace and intensity dropped considerably. At the start, they came out really fast and aggressive and played with a lot of intensity, but as the half went on, they have just been controlling and keeping possession. I would like to see Wolfsburg do something with all this possession. We need to see more crosses and services, along with better connection in the attack and in the box.

Duisburg in this half had some threatening moments, but they haven’t been putting enough pressure on Wolfsburg when it comes to their own attack. However, Duisburg has been able to hold off Wolfsburg defensively. It reminds me of Olympique Lyon’s regular season match against Dijon FCO. The only difference was Lyon was maintaining an aggressive attack and was able to break through Dijon’s defense.

With that in mind, Wolfsburg can definitely break through Duisburg’s defense, but in order to do that, they have to maintain their pace, intensity, attack, and keep creating chances. At the same time, Duisburg seems willing to chase Wolfsburg around the pitch, much like Dijon was doing to Lyon. If Wolfsburg can maintain their pace and intensity, they can possibly wear down Duisburg, which will make it easier for the Wolfsburg attack to find their way through.

In the second half, I would like to see more from Wolfsburg in regards to crosses and services, along with maintaining an aggressive attack.

Second Half/Closing Notes

VfL Wolfsburg Wins 2-0.

Unfortunately, Wolfsburg did lose another player to injury. This time it’s defender, Sara Agrez, who had to come off due to a challenge where she got her cleat stuck in the turf and collided with a Duisburg player. Wolfsburg and fans are going to be hoping it’s nothing serious since Wolfsburg, so far this season, has been plagued with multiple player injuries.

Overall, this was a good performance from Wolfsburg. They maintained their attack, control, and possession. They created many crosses and services, but the connection in the box still needs improvement, along with their finishing. The backline had some shaky moments. It wasn’t perfect, but it got the job done. I still find the defense lacking consistency, but I believe it’s improving. Rábano’s pace in this match was really good, especially when it came to chasing down balls and recovering possession.

When it comes to consistency in Wolfsburg’s attack, it has been good, but I would also like to see Wolfsburg be consistent with their pace and intensity. If Wolfsburg can maintain a quick pace and heavy intensity throughout all their matches, they will be able to dominate more teams (like Duisburg), create more chances, and score more goals.