Pre-Match Notes: The VfL Wolfsburg Frauen have been busy in the preseason. They’re coming off wins against TSG Hoffenheim, Ajax, and Sparta Praha. Wolfsburg has one final test game before the second half of the Frauen Bundesliga regular season kicks off again. The She-Wolves are hoping to come away with another victory and solidify the lessons they learned during preseason training.

In Wolfsburg’s last test game against Sparta Praha, the She-Wolves came away with a dominant 10-0 win. The team displayed a strong attack, with great press and drive, good control and possession, great connection between the midfield and attack, and good support in the attack. If Wolfsburg wants to be successful in this match, and going into the second half of the season, that support and connection in the attack is going to be essential.

With the talent and quality on this team, Wolfsburg has what it takes to build a strong, overwhelming attack, but what fans are needing to see from this Wolfsburg team is consistency. Can Wolfsburg be consistent with their attacking press? Can Wolfsburg consistently support one another in the attack, instead of letting one player go at it alone? Can Wolfsburg maintain control of the midfield when they’re under pressure? Every match is different, but the level of commitment, effort and quality per match should not change. Now lets get into the line up for this match.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Lisa Schmitz in the goal. For defenders Dominique Janssen, Marina Hegering, Lynn Wilms, and Nuria Rábano. In the midfield and attack: Lena Oberdorf, Lena Lattwein, Riola Xhemaili, Ewa Pajor, Sveindís Jónsdóttir, and Fenna Kalma.

Overall, I think this is a good, strong starting eleven. I like this attacking line of Pajor, Kalma, and Jónsdóttir and I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing good connection in the attack between these players. I would like to see Kalma connecting with Pajor, Jónsdóttir, and the midfield, and hopefully grabbing a few goals for herself in this match. Kalma is a talented player with strong goal-scoring potential, however, I think she needs more playtime in order to build her confidence and chemistry in the Wolfsburg attack.

I can still see Wolfsburg being victorious in this test game, but it’s going to come down to whether Wolfsburg will be able to press as a team, connect in the attack, and finish their chances.

First Half Notes

VfL Wolfsburg 5-0.

The goal scorers for this half were Kalma (2), Xhemaili (1), Pajor (1) and Jonsdottír (1).

Overall, this was a good first half. It was a slow start for Wolfsburg, but eventually they got settled and took full control of this game. There was good control and possession in the midfield, good connection in the attack, and there was great drive in the attack to press and get forward. Finishing has been great so far as well. I think the only thing Wolfsburg needs to work on is set pieces and corner kicks. Wolfsburg needs to make sure they can get on the end of Rábano’s crosses and services. At the same time, Rábano may need to dial it back so that they’re not coming in too hard for Jonsdottír, Kalma, and Pajor. Besides that, this half is going well. The team looks good, and best of all there’s consistency in the Wolfsburg attack. I would like to see Wolfsburg maintaining their attacking press going into the second half, along with scoring more goals.

Second Half/Closing Notes:

VfL Wolfsburg Wins 10-0.

Goal scorers for both halves include: Kalma (2), Xhemaili (1), Pajor (1) Jonsdottír (2), Popp (2), Huth (1), and Endemann (1).

This was another dominant performance from Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg, much like in the match against Sparta Praha, were in control and maintained their attack going into the second half. There was good connection between the midfield and attack, and good connection between the attacking players. While Wolfsburg did let Hannover get on the ball a few times in the second half, Rábano had no issues recovering possession, and Wolfsburg in general had no problem shutting down Hannover’s attack. I really like the pressure and drive in the Wolfsburg attack, along with the touches and connection between the players. Movement in the midfield and attack, looked great.

Going into the second half of the season, I’m hoping we’ll see Wolfsburg continuing to work on building their chemistry, and developing those attacking partnerships. Overall this was another solid performance that does give me hope for the second half of Wolfsburg’s season. Ultimately, it boils down to Wolfsburg’s ability to maintain not just consistency, but uphold confidence and teamwork as well.

VfL Wolfsburg’s next regular season game will be Monday January 29, 2024 against SGS Essen.