DFB footballers
Everyone talks about Oberdorf – only Oberdorf doesn’t talk
Lena Oberdorf has long been a central figure among the DFB footballers. photo
© Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
Lena Oberdorf has long been a central figure among the DFB footballers. Before the decision in the Olympic qualification, the Wolfsburg woman is the focus.
Father and advisor Frank Oberdorf says his daughter doesn’t need all the extra stuff. She actually just wanted to play football. That’s why Lena Oberdorf is holding back on interviews. The midfielder, who is so important for the German national team, really doesn’t need the excitement surrounding her announced move from VfL Wolfsburg to FC Bayern Munich – right in the middle of the Olympic qualification.
Oberdorf also wants to fulfill the dream of the Summer Games. The game for third place in the Nations League against the Netherlands on Wednesday (8.45 p.m./ZDF) in Heerenveen is the last chance for them DFB women still have to buy their ticket for the Olympic Games in Paris (July 26th to August 11th).
The 2-1 defeat against France was once again an example of how the game often stands – and sometimes falls – with Oberdorf: The 22-year-old cleared a lot in midfield on Friday evening in Lyon, but then caused a penalty that led to the Leading 0:2. “She doesn’t have to come with the tackle,” captain Alexandra Popp later openly criticized her club colleague. “She can put her body in there better and block the ball.”
As usual resolute in duels
After Marina Hegering was substituted due to injury, Horst Hrubesch placed Oberdorf in central defense, where she intervened in her usual resolute manner and also set “playful accents” in the build-up to the game, as the interim national coach noted.
Since her national team debut in 2019 at the age of just 17, Oberdorf has enjoyed the highest recognition in professional circles: at the 2022 European Championships she was named the best young player; However, she accepted the trophy with tears in her eyes after the final defeat against England. She experienced the 2023 World Cup debacle in Australia as a late starter – she went into the tournament with a thigh injury.
With Oberdorf’s commitment for the new season, FC Bayern landed a transfer coup; in Wolfsburg, Oberdorf had drawn an exit clause in her contract. The two clubs did not provide any information about the transfer fee, the NDR reported 400,000 euros. That would be a record for a change within the Bundesliga.
Now next career step
“I now have the opportunity to take the next step in my career in Munich and still be close to my family and friends,” said Oberdorf. “The vision for the next few years convinced me to sign in Munich. I’m looking forward to the new challenges that will allow me to grow as a player and person.”
In principle, Hrubesch also sees further potential: “Obi is still a long way from being where she actually belongs.” For Hegering, Oberdorf is someone with “outstanding talent who can play anything in the central area. You can also put them up front, you can have them play on the ten, on the eight, on the six and on the IV ( Central defender position).”
According to Hegering, you can rely on your Wolfsburg teammate a thousand percent – even now. Is she worried that Oberdorf won’t perform to the fullest because of the headlines surrounding her move? “Nope,” Hegering said without hesitation.
Great ambition, high demands
After her steep rise, the world-class player herself repeatedly struggled with her ambition and the demands she placed on herself. “That you just don’t expect too much of yourself,” is something she has had to learn since the European Championships, as she once explained: “And if it’s not a good game, then that’s just the way it is.”
Basically, Oberdorf is someone who speaks as straightforwardly as she acts – when she speaks. It was not without reason that the “Football Saying of the Year 2022” went to the now 45-time national player: “Women’s football, men’s football. It’s one football.”