As of: October 8, 2024 8:53 p.m
The VfL Wolfsburg footballers started the Champions League season with a defeat. Coach Tommy Stroot’s team unfortunately lost 0-1 (0-1) to the Italian champions AS Roma.
While the Wolfsburg women hit the crossbar twice on Tuesday evening, a converted penalty was enough for the Romans to win: After a handball, Manuela Giugliano scored to make it 1-0 for the hosts (14th). The Lower Saxony team only found their game after the break, but in the end they tried in vain.
As expected, Olympique Lyon prevailed in the group’s parallel game: the French champions won 3-0 against debutants Galatasaray Istanbul. The French are the clear favorites in the group of four.
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One top game chases the other
For the Wolfsburg women, the weeks of truth come early in the season. After clear defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt, it is now against the German champions. On Saturday (live on Erste and on NDR.de) the classic against Bayern Munich will kick off at 5:45 p.m. in the large Wolfsburg stadium.
And after that, the next top game in the “premier league” is coming up: Lyon will be visiting Wolfsburg on October 17th (Thursday/9 p.m.).
Wolfsburg dominant, but not dangerous
The VfL women started the first group game of the new Champions League season very focused. The Wolfsburg women dominated the game (around 70 percent possession), but this was not reflected in any chances. Alexandra Popp once again operated from central midfield, Lineth Beerensteyn was unable to assert herself in the center of the attack.
And practically with the first attack the Romans took the lead. Lynn Wilms received a cross from close range to her hand that was stretched forward while running and referee Catarina Campos immediately awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Merle Frohms anticipated the corner, but AS captain Giugliano’s shot was too powerful.
Rome deserves the lead
The lead gave the hosts confidence. The “she-wolves” bit their teeth in front. Rome repeatedly unsettled their defense. Shortly before the break the score was 2-0. But the Lower Saxons still somehow got a leg in the way, so Frohms was no longer seriously tested until the break.
VfL hits the crossbar twice, Frohms keeps VfL in the game
VfL coach Stroot reacted and ordered Popp to the center of the attack. He also sent Jule Brand and Kathy Hendrich onto the field. And the first chance didn’t take long to arrive. An attack via Popp resulted in a corner, which resulted in Marina Hegering’s header hitting the crossbar (53′). Shortly afterwards, the defender appeared at the front again at a corner and forced Camelia Ceasar to make a brilliant save (61′). Seven minutes later, Vivien Endemann, who was also substitute, hit the crossbar again with a deflected shot.
But the Wolfsburg women also had to be careful. Emilie Haavi, who always made Wilms look old, almost made it 2-0. But Frohms was there for the shot (56th).
Endemann and Co. run in vain
The guests deserved the equalizer, but it just wouldn’t go down. Endemann started the final phase with her chance – she also failed due to Ceasar (76th). But Roma survived the pressure phase and was able to take a breather for a few minutes. Svenja Huth fired another shot at goal in the 87th minute, but it was too unplaced. And so it remained the victory for the Romans, which put the Wolfsburg women in the group under pressure early on.
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