Pre-Match Notes: After winning 4-1 against FC Köln in the Frauen Bundesliga regular season, VfL Wolfsburg will be facing Werder Bremen to close out 2023. On Sunday, December 17th, 2023, rivals Bayern Munich came away with a 1-1 draw against FC Nürnberg. If She-Wolves can come away with a win against Werder Bremen, the team will be able to reclaim their number one spot in the standings.

Technically, VfL Wolfsburg have already played Werder Bremen not too long ago in the DFB Pokal. Wolfsburg would end up walking away with a 5-0 win. Wolfsburg looks likely to away with a win, but that is if the team can get their attack forward, connect in the attack, and put away their chances.

When it came to Wolfsburg’s last match against FC Köln, the game left much to be desired, despite Wolfsburg coming away with a 4-1 win. While the attack was able to get forward, there was still some disjointedness in the attack and between the midfielders and attacking players. There was no flow or rhythm to the attack. I would like to see Wolfsburg continue to build consistency in the attack, but at the same time continue to work on and find an attacking rhythm again. Additionally, I would like to see Wolfsburg create more chances in this match.

Going into this match against Werder Bremen again, I would like to see better control, holding, and stability from the midfield, from the team in general. In the match against Köln, Wolfsburg would give the ball away very cheaply and very easily. Wolfsburg can’t keep doing that. If the team wants to build consistency in the attack, if they want to get their attack forward, and create more chances, there needs to be a level of control in the midfield first and foremost.

Line Up Notes

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

Except for Lattwein starting in place of Demann, and Brand starting in place of Endemann, there are no other changes from the lineup against FC Köln. Hopefully, Lattwein and Hagel will be able to provide support and stability in the midfield. Lena Oberdorf, like in the match against FC Köln, is on the bench for this match. It’s uncertain whether she’ll be able to come on in the second half. Oberdorf has been out for some time due to a lower back injury.

With Brand in the attack, it is essential that she’s able to get forward in the attack and create chances for the attack and herself. However, the same can also be said for the attack as a whole. They must be able to press and support one another in the attack if they want to be successful in this match. A part of it still goes back to the midfield and how well they’ll be able to maintain control, move the ball, and connect with the attack.

When it comes to the backline and defense, as long as Wolfsburg can maintain possession and not turn over the ball as much as they did against FC Köln, I do not think they’ll be threatened in this match. However, they still have to watch out for Werder Bremen’s counterattack. Nuria Rábano and Camilla Küver are both available off the bench, and it would be interesting to see them come on in the second half. Rábano defensively is able to keep up with runners and track loose balls. Küver has a good height advantage that would make her deadly on set pieces and corner kicks.

First Half Notes

VfL Wolfsburg 0-0.

Hendrich had to come off early due to an injury, and was replaced with Camilla Küver.

Overall, this was a very poor and disappointing first-half performance from Wolfsburg. Especially considering the fact that Wolfsburg were able to come away with a 5-0 win against Werder Bremen a few weeks ago. There wasn’t enough control in the midfield from Hagel and Lattwein, although control did get better late into the first half. Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough. Wolfsburg were still giving the ball away cheaply in the midfield, and were at times struggling to deal with Werder Bremen’s pressure. Wolfsburg’s lack of control in this half is almost reminiscent of their match against FC Köln.

Additionally, how Wolfsburg’s attack played in this half is also identical to how they played against FC Köln. No flow or chemistry in the attack. They were able to get forward, but they have yet to create any viable chances on goal. The connection in the box still isn’t there. Going into the second half, Wolfsburg needs to create more chances on goal. At the same time, there needs to be better movement and control in the midfield and attack. Wolfsburg should be able to come away with a win in this game, but in order to do that, they have to change their mentality going into the second half. They need to do better.

Second Half/Closing Notes

VfL Wolfsburg Wins 1-0.

Dominique Janssen scored a nearly impossible goal from a distance, securing the win for Wolfsburg and taking the team to the top of the Frauen Bundesliga standings with twenty-five points.

Despite coming away with a lucky win, it does not take away from the fact that this was, overall, still a poor performance from Wolfsburg. There wasn’t much change from the first half. It was like the midfield had gone missing, and Wolfsburg, at times, would find themselves overwhelmed in the midfield. The attack was able to get forward, and there appeared to be more urgency in the attack, however, there was little to no connection in the attack and in the box. In general, there’s no chemistry or rhythm to Wolfsburg’s attack. Truthfully, Wolfsburg was simply lucky in this match. “A Christmas miracle,” according to the English Announcer on DAZN. If Janssen’s goal didn’t go in, this match would have ended in a 0-0 draw.

It’s great that Wolfsburg were able to end the first half of their season on a high note, it’s great that they were able to reclaim the number one spot in the standings, however, Wolfsburg can’t rely on luck to get them ahead. If they continue to play like they did against FC Köln, and in this match against Werder Bremen, they will not hold that number one spot for long.