Pre-Match Notes: After a win against MSV Duisburg in the Frauen Bundesliga regular season, VfL Wolfsburg, nine-time winners of the DFB Pokal, will be facing SV Werder Bremen in the DFB Pokal Achtelfinale (Round of 16), where they need to come away with a win in order to move onto the next stages of the DFB Pokal.

Wolfsburg, after their regular season wins against SC Freiburg and MSV Duisburg, appears to be on the right track in regards to rebuilding their connection in the attack and finding their chemistry as a team. One of the things I talked about the most in Wolfsburg’s match against Duisburg is consistency in the backline, midfield, and attack. Consistency is going to be key for this Wolfsburg team when it comes to this match against Werder Bremen

Wolfsburg can definitely come away with a win in this match. The She-Wolves should be able to maintain control and possession just fine, and I can see them having good movement in the midfield and attack. The backline is still a bit shaky and uncertain to me, however they should be able to get the job done. When it comes to Wolfsburg’s attack, I want to see them working on their connection in the box, along with finishing.

Something I really want to see from this team is a high level of intensity and pace. Wolfsburg, in their last match against Duisburg, came out with an aggressive attack with a lot of pressure. I liked seeing that intensity and ruthlessness from Wolfsburg. That is something this team is missing. However, it all goes back to consistency. Against Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg needs to maintain their intensity in the attack and keep creating chances.

Line Up Notes:

Starting Eleven: We have Merle Frohms in the goal. For defenders Lynn Wilms, Kathrin Hendrich, Marina Hegering, and Nuria Rábano. In the midfield and attack, Chantal Hagel, Lena Lattwein, Svenja Huth, Vivien Endemann, Alexandra Popp, and Ewa Pajor.

I think this starting eleven could do well in this match as long as Wolfsburg can get their attack forward, create attacking chances, maintain their intensity, and connect where it counts. Popp and Pajor are proven goal scorers, but their connection in the box, and with the other attacking players, is going to be essential if Wolfsburg wants to come away with a win.

Rábano should be good in this match. I can definitely see her pressing with the attack, connecting with players down the wing, and creating chances of her own.

We could also see Fenna Kalma, Riola Xhemaili, Jule Brand, and Camilla Küver at some point in the second half. When it comes to Küver, she was one of Wolfsburg’s new summer signings from Eintracht Frankfurt. She has been recovering from injury but appears to be ready to start playing again. Hopefully, she’ll be able to get some minutes in this match.

First Half Notes

VfL Wolfsburg 3-0.

This was a great first half from Wolfsburg. Two great goals from Popp, and one from Pajor. Honestly, it’s great to see Popp and Pajor connecting in the attack, in the box, and scoring.

There has been great connection between the attack and midfield. Really good touches and services as well. I’m especially enjoying Endemann’s performance so far. She has been very tenacious in the Wolfsburg attack. Her quick pace is amazing, her crosses and services have been good, and it’s great to see her pressing in the attack and getting forward more.

My favorite play from Endemann in this match was when she got around a defender, who was shielding her from the ball. You would’ve thought it was going to go out, but no, Endemann somehow got around that defender and crossed it in. This would lead to Pajor collecting it and crossing it to Popp, who would score her second goal in the first half.

Defensively, Wolfsburg is doing well. Rábano has been great when it comes to recovering possession, and pressing with the attack.

For the second half, I would like to see Kalma, Xhemaili, Brand, and perhaps Küver.

Second Half/Closing Notes

VfL Wolfsburg Wins 5-0.

2 goals for Popp, and 1 goal for Pajor in the first half. Then 1 goal from Endemann, and one from Brand in the second half.

Unfortunately, Wilms had to come off due to an injury in the second half, and was replaced by Küver. Rábano also went down injured towards the end of the second half. Hopefully, these aren’t serious injuries, considering Wolfsburg’s backline is already stretched as it is with Sara Agrez getting injured in Wolfsburg’s last match against Duisburg, and Küver and Janssen, both returning from their respective injuries.

When it comes to Küver, she does have a good height advantage (1.84m or 6’0). It would be beneficial for Wolfsburg, if they can find her on set pieces and corner kicks.

This was overall a great performance from Wolfsburg. There was great drive and pressing in the attack. Great connection in the attack. Good movement, control, and touches between the midfield and attacking players. It was great to see Popp and Pajor scoring, along with Endemann and Brand. However, I think the connection in the attack between Brand, Kalma, Endemann, and Hagel still needs some work, but overall, the team as a whole did really well.

I was especially impressed with Endemann in this game. Her services have been great, and her drive and pressing in the attack were deadly to Werder Bremen. I especially liked her pace and how well she was able to shake off and get around Werder Bremen’s defenders. Endemann is an all-around impressive player, and we’re starting to see how much potential she has.

It hasn’t been easy for this Wolfsburg team this season, but hopefully, they’ll be able to continue learning and growing together as a team.