Pre Match Notes

The 2024 Paris Olympics have come and gone, and the DFB Frauen would come away with the Bronze after defeating Spain in the Bronze medal match. While the games were underway, the VfL Wolfsburg Frauen were also in full swing preparing for the upcoming season. The She-Wolves so far have played Carl-Zeiss Jena, Slavia Prague, and FC Twente, and are coming off of a draw and two wins respectively. The team is now set to face PSV Eindhoven.

Since the test games were taking place at the same time as they Olympics, Wolfsburg were missing players like Alexandra Popp, Merle Frohms, Kathrin Hendrich, Marina Hegering, Jule Brand, Vivien Endemann, Sarai Linder, and Janina Minge. It will be interesting to see how the team plays and connect with these players returning. Minge, given her performance in the Olympics, will be someone to keep an eye on in the upcoming season. However, Brand, Popp, Hegering, Hendrich and Minge may or may not be available, given how much they played in the Olympics.

Despite whether the eight Olympians will be available or not, Wolfsburg still has strong midfield and attacking options like Lineth Beerensytne, Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Ariana Arias, Fenna Kalma and Svenja Huth; all of whom performed well in the past three games. Beerensytne is starting to come into form in the Wolfsburg attack. She has been able to get forward in Wolfsburg’s last three test games, and managed to grab two goals in the match against FC Twente.

Wolfsburg in their recent match against Twente showed good control and movement in the midfield and attack, as well as good connection in the attack. When it comes to this match against PSV Eindhoven, the challenge for Wolfsburg will likely involve strengthening the midfield and attack, and continue building those attacking partnerships and connections.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Merle Frohms in the goal. For defenders Lynn Wilms, Nuria Rábano, Joelle Wedermeyer, and Luca Papp. In the midfield and attack: Justine Kielland, Lena Lattwein, Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Svenja Huth, Lineth Beerensteyn, and Ariana Arias.

While Merle Frohms is starting in goal, it’s still unknown whether the other seven Olympians will be available for this match. It’s likely Frohms will have something to prove after the Olympics, since she went from starting goalkeeper to backup goalkeeper for the national team. Wolfsburg is likely to have the most possession and control in this match, however, they still have to watch out for PSV’s counterattack and transitions.

First Half Notes

VfL Wolfsburg 3-0.

Goal Scorers for Wolfsburg: Jónsdóttir (1), Huth (1), Lattwein (PK).

Jónsdóttir’s header off a corner kick would find its way into the goal. Huth would touch the ball up to Wilms. Wilms’s cross would be punched away by the PSV goalkeeper. Huth would collect and score on the rebound. Wolfsburg would be awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the box. Lattwein would step up and convert the penalty.

It was announced at the start of the first half that Vivien Endemann and Janina Minge were available off the bench.

This first half is going as expected for Wolfsburg. We’re seeing good control and possession in the attack, with Huth and Jónsdóttir being very successful up the right wing. Wolfsburg may need to figure out how to create more chances from the left wing. Perhaps bringing on Endemann in the second half, then moving Jónsdóttir to the left wing, could help in that area. There’s good connection and support in the attack. Wolfsburg were doing well maintaining their pressure, recycling the ball, and creating chances. So far Wolfsburg is in complete control. Going into the second half, we can expect to see Wolfsburg maintaining control and creating chances; however, it would be great to see better connection and finishing in the box.

The Wolfsburg backline faced some challenge from PSV; however, the defense and midfield were doing well when it came to recoveries and regaining possession. It also appears as though Luca Papp may remain a permanent fixture in the backline. While PSV had a few chances from outside the box, they haven’t been much of a threat in this first half. They also haven’t had much success in getting into the Wolfsburg box.

Second Half and Closing Notes

VfL Wolfsburg Wins 3-0.

Goal Scorers for Wolfsburg: Jónsdóttir (1), Huth (1), Lattwein (PK).

It was a pretty uneventful second half. Endemann, Minge, Hagel, and Kalma would sub in, and despite the She-Wolves being able to get forward and create multiple chances, the team couldn’t add to their goal count. Wolfsburg was still able to attack up the right wing with Huth, Endemann, Wilms, and Jónsdóttir. There was still good support in the attack, however, connection and finishing in the box may need more touching up.

There was nearly perfect control and movement in the midfield despite some pressure from PSV, as well as good defending from the backline. This backline of Wilms, Papp, Wedermeyer, and Rábano looks promising and consistent, but we will have to see what happens in the regular season, and whether Tommy Stroot decides to play these four together. The backline has been an issue for Wolfsburg for multiple seasons, and has hurt this team in the past. Having a strong and consistent defense will be important for Wolfsburg as they go into the upcoming Frauen Bundesliga and Champions League seasons.

Overall, this was a good performance from Wolfsburg. The midfield and attack looks promising, and has the potential to be very threatening and dangerous to opposing teams, given their pace, pressure and firepower. As long as Wolfsburg continues to build their connection and chemistry, and work their finishing, we could see that ruthlessness Wolfsburg has been known to possess.