Pre-Match Notes: After drawing 1-1 to Bayer Leverkusen, the VfL Wolfsburg Frauen are now facing Eintracht Frankfurt. In their last meeting, the She-Wolves walked away with a 4-2 win. As commentators like to say, the scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story, and Eintracht Frankfurt proved to be a strong challenge and competitor. If Wolfsburg wants to walk away with a victory, it’s not going to come without a fight.

Wolfsburg’s draw last Sunday to Bayer Leverkusen was surprising. It surprised a lot of fans because many were convinced, Wolfsburg was going to come away with a win. However, Bayer Leverkusen was able to hold off Wolfsburg’s attack. Leverkusen would eventually come back and get a goal for themselves after being awarded a free kick due to Marina Hegering swiping at a Leverkusen player’s legs, and tripping said player in the process. This would lead to Hegering being sent off with a red card, and Wolfsburg down to ten players.

Wolfsburg appeared to be doing everything right in their match against Bayer Leverkusen. They kept possession, they were able to get their attack forward, there appeared to be good connection in the attack, and they were creating plenty of chances. However, they weren’t finishing their chances. The match against Leverkusen showed the importance of finishing and putting away your chances as early and as soon as possible. A way Wolfsburg could remedy this is by having more support in the attack, and work on scoring from rebounded balls and volleys. There were quite a few of those in that match.

When it comes to this match against Eintracht Frankfurt, finishing and putting away chances is going to be essential, because Wolfsburg may not get as many as they did against Bayer Leverkusen. Wolfsburg is going to have a harder time breaking through Eintracht’s defense. On top of that, Wolfsburg especially has to watch out for Eintracht’s counterattacks and transitions.

In the match against Leverkusen, there were some dangerous moments in the backline where Leverkusen was able to find their way through and take some shots on goal. Against Eintracht, Wolfsburg needs to do better defensively when it comes to tracking runners, and defending against set pieces and corner kicks.

While a win is definitely possible for Wolfsburg, it’s not going to come easy; Eintracht Frankfurt isn’t going to make it easy. There needs to be good connection, support, and finishing in the attack, good control and movement from the midfield and attack, and better awareness in the backline. It’s going to be a tough challenge for Wolfsburg, but hopefully one that they’ll be able to overcome.

Line Up Notes:

Starting Eleven: We have Merle Frohms in the goal. For defenders Kathrin Hendrich, Dominique Janssen, Nuria Rábano, and Joelle Wedermeyer. In the midfield and attack: Lena Oberdorf, Lena Lattwein, Svenja Huth, Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Ewa Pajor and Alexandra Popp.

It’s an all right line up. I don’t think it’s bad, but I think Tommy Stroot could’ve done more with it. When it comes to the attack, Pajor and Popp are obviously strong goal-scoring options, provided that they’re able to connect in the box and finish their chances. However, I believe if Wolfsburg are playing in a 4-2-3-1 (which they most likely are), the team would’ve benefited more if they had Endemann starting. This would mean if Popp was up top in that striker position, Pajor would be on the bench until the second half, or vice versa, Pajor could start in that striker position, and then be subbed out in the second half for Popp.

Stroot most likely believes playing Pajor and Popp together will strengthen Wolfsburg’s goalscoring, however, the only way Popp and Pajor can score is if there is enough press in the attack. Against Eintracht, that attacking press and pressure is going to be important.

This is where an attacking midfield of Endemann, Huth, and Jónsdóttir could be better suited for this match, considering that these three are good when it comes to driving the attack forward and sending in crosses and services. Huth and Endemann tend to connect really well coming up the wings. The same can also be said for Jónsdóttir as well.

When it comes to Wolfsburg’s backline and defense, they have to keep up with runners, and watch out for passes behind the backline. They have to close down any gaps and open spaces in the box. A big mistake Wolfsburg tends to make is allowing too much space in the box. When it comes to Eintracht Frankfurt, if they’re allowed too much space in the box, or if Frohms is left open, they will make an attempt on goal. Shutting down Eintracht’s attack as quickly as possible is going to be important for the Wolfsburg backline and defense. Collectively, Wolfsburg also needs to be able to defend against set pieces and corner kicks.

First Half Notes

VfL Wolfsburg 0-0.

It’s not a bad first half performance from Wolfsburg. It loosely resembles Wolfsburg’s last match against Bayer Leverkusen. Wolfsburg are sending in crosses and services; Jónsdóttir’s throw-ins, for the most part, have been good, however, the team hasn’t been threatening enough. There have been no viable chances created on goal. The attack has been able to get forward and find gaps and openings, particularly on that right wing; however, the attack needs to create more chances. If Wolfsburg wants to come away with a win, they need to maintain their attack, and keep getting forward. They need to create better chances and make more attempts on goal. At the same time, they also have to finish their chances.

When it comes to the backline, they’re faring well. It’s a lot better than I expected. Rábano has been busy tracking players and watching out for through balls. Janssen is also doing well too. Wedermeyer wants to get forward in the attack, however she’s leaving the right wing open. She needs to make sure that she can support the backline when needed. Defending on set pieces and corner kicks have been good as well.

In general, it’s not a bad first half. There just needs to be more urgency from the Wolfsburg attack going into the second half.

Second Half/Closing Notes

VfL Wolfsburg Wins 3-0.

Goal scorers: Johannes (own goal); Lattwein (1); Endemann (1).

What a match. This was a hard-fought battle from Wolfsburg, but the She-Wolves were able to triumph in the end. It all started with a crazy own goal from the Frankfurt goalkeeper, Stina Johannes. Jónsdóttir threw the ball into the box. Popp headed the ball off and Johannes saved it. However, Johannes may have lost her balance or was distracted by Lattwein, and she would end up letting go and dropping the ball into her own goal. It left Eintracht Frankfurt, Wolfsburg, and many fans stunned.

When it comes to this match as a whole, Wolfsburg did a lot better than I originally expected. They were able to get their attack forward, and they were able to create plenty of crosses and services. A glaring issue for Wolfsburg is their finishing ability. The crosses and services got significantly better for Wolfsburg in the second half, but the attacking players need to be able to put away their chances. As pointed out earlier, Wolfsburg could remedy their finishing by providing more support in the box, and working on rebounded ball and volleys.

When it comes to Wolfsburg’s midfield, they did well overall, but when Wolfsburg had just a one point lead off Johannes’ own goal, they have to do better when it comes to maintaining control and possession.

Despite some slip-ups and mistakes here and there, the Wolfsburg backline was solid and displayed a strong defense. The backline was able to keep track of through balls, they were able to recover possession, and they, along with the team as a whole, were able to defend against set pieces and corner kicks.

This was definitely a challenging match. The scoreline doesn’t begin to show how hard this match was for Wolfsburg. In the end, Wolfsburg proved themselves. It was great to see that fight and effort from the team. Eintracht Frankfurt was never going to be an easy team for Wolfsburg to beat, however, the She-Wolves were up for the challenge, and they were able to walk away victorious in the end.