Pre-Match Notes: Even though the second half of the Frauen Bundesliga Regular Season is still weeks away, the VfL Wolfsburg Frauen are preparing for the next half of their season with a few test games. The She-Wolves are coming off of a 2-0 win against TSG Hoffenheim, and will now be meeting Dutch club, AFC Ajax Vrouwen.

The Ajax Vrouwen will be another good challenge for Wolfsburg. Ajax is currently number one in their Champions League group. Their record so far in the Champions League is two wins, one draw, and one loss. Those wins would come off Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. This shows Ajax is not a team Wolfsburg should take lightly. Ajax can definitely go toe to toe with big-name teams as well.

Wolfsburg, in their club friendly against Hoffenheim, did well overall. In the first half, Wolfsburg struggled to find their rhythm and chemistry, but as the game went on and Wolfsburg got more adjusted, there was great control and possession, good movement in the midfield, and great build-up play and connection in the midfield and attack. The only major criticism I had in that match was the lack of connection in the box, and poor finishing from the Wolfsburg attack. Wolfsburg created plenty of chances, but the team still needs to convert and finish those chances.

In this match against Ajax, I would like to see Wolfsburg in control, keeping possession, maintaining their attack, connecting in the midfield and attack, creating chances, and finishing those chances. Easier said than done.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Merle Frohms in the goal. For defenders Lynn Wilms, Dominique Janssen, Nuria Rábano, and Camilla Küver. In the midfield and attack: Lena Lattwein, Riola Xhemaili, Svenja Huth, Vivien Enedemann, Fenna Kalma, and Ewa Pajor.

This is a very interesting lineup. I’m really looking forward to this attack consisting of Huth, Xhemaili, Endemann, Kalma, and Pajor. Fans have been wanting to see more of Xhemaili and Kalma, and now is the perfect time for them to show what they can bring to Wolfsburg’s attack. Additionally, this is a good time to continue developing these players, along with building their chemistry with the rest of the team. I can definitely see Huth and Endemann getting forward in this match, Endemann especially is great when it comes to pressing and driving Wolfsburg’s attack. What’s going to be essential for Wolfsburg, for their attack to be successful, is making sure there is support for one another in the attack and in the box. On top of that, there also needs to be good control and movement from the midfield as well.

As for Wolfsburg’s defense and backline, Nuria Rábano could be starting in more games. It was announced that Felicitas Rauch is leaving Wolfsburg, so this means Rábano will most likely be taking over that left-back position. I am confident in Rábano’s defending abilities. She has great pace and is excellent when it comes to keeping up with runners and loose balls. At the same time, she can also contribute to the attack. Additionally, it’s going to be interesting to see how Küver does in this game. I would like to see her connecting more on set pieces and corner kicks, since she has a height advantage that could be beneficial to Wolfsburg.

First Half Notes

Wolfsburg 2-0.

This is really good from Wolfsburg so far. Great goals from Xhemaili and Pajor. There is good press in Wolfsburg’s attack. Endemann is once again proving to be very dangerous on the right wing. She has had some good crosses and services so far. Her teammates just need to get on the end of them. There is good connection in the box, with Xhemaili’s goal coming off a Pajor cross in the box. Likewise, Pajor’s goal coming off an Endemann cross into the box. Finishing still needs touching up, but I think Wolfsburg will be able to grab more goals in the second half, as long as they continue to connect where it counts.

As for Wolfsburg’s backline and defense, they have had a few scares in this half, a few mistakes here and there, but it’s not to the extent of Ajax, who are seeing their passes getting picked off by Wolfsburg. Still, the Wolfsburg backline and defense need to be tighter and more cautious, especially with Ajax applying pressure to the backline. Besides that, Rábano and Küver are performing as expected.

Second Half/Closing Notes

VfL Wolfsburg Wins 3-0.

An own goal in the second half, sealed Ajax’s fate and made any chance of an Ajax comeback virtually impossible.

In general, this was a good game and performance from Wolfsburg, but it’s important to note the second half was very different from the first half because Tommy Stroot made seven substitutions at the start of the second half. The subs include: Schmitz, Brand, Hagel, Popp, Jónsdóttir, Wedermeyer, and Demann. This would then see Frohms, Xhemaili, Endemann, Kalma, Huth, Lattwein, and Wilms exit the match.

The changes at the start of the second half showed a different form of attack that consisted of long balls and passes from the midfield up to Pajor, or another attacking player. This would lead to Pajor, or the other player, being offside or getting the ball taken off them. If you have seen Wolfsburg’s previous games, this attacking style would be very familiar. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work in Wolfsburg’s favor

In the first half, instead of just relying on one player to make runs into the box, there was more of a collective press in the Wolfsburg attack. Endemann and the other attacking players were able to create more crosses and services into the box. At the same time, there was also more support in the attack and in the box.

In the second half, there were some crosses and services being created, but not enough of a collective press in the attack. I mentioned it earlier, but Wolfsburg’s attack would benefit more if they utilized their creativity and creative players. Wolfsburg’s chemistry would also develop a lot more if there was more collective support and drive in the attack.

Additionally, when it comes to the second half, there wasn’t much control from the midfield. Wolfsburg would keep turning the ball over to Ajax, and would allow Ajax to come at them. Going into the second half of the season, there needs to be a focus on creating control and stability in the midfield, while also figuring out which form and style of attack would benefit Wolfsburg the best.