VfL Wolfsburg celebrates a narrow victory at Valerenga IF

by Johannes Freytag

A week after the confident 4-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain, it looked for a long time as if the “Wolfs” would not be able to shake off the frustration from the 1-3 defeat against FC Bayern. Despite the overwhelming superiority, the score remained 1-1 until injury time. But then Minge scored with a hand penalty to win. Sara Hörte had previously equalized Wolfsburg’s opening goal for Valerenga by Lineth Beerensteyn.

In the premier class, the “She Wolves” don’t continue until November – with the games in Lyon (11th) and against Manchester United (19th). This Sunday (5:15 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter) the VfL women are back in everyday Bundesliga life – with the difficult away game at fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

Women’s Football Champions League: All results and the current table of the group phase.

Starting eleven debut for Bjelde

Lerch had to rebuild his team in two positions. Camilla Küver, who was nominated for the national team for the first time, is still suffering from the effects of a calf injury from the Bundesliga game and was therefore not in the squad at all. Svenja Huth was also missing due to an infection. The duo was replaced by central defender Caitlin Dijkstra and right winger Thea Bjelde – the latter celebrated her VfL Women’s starting XI debut against her former club.

Hardly any escape for the “she-wolves”

On the artificial turf in the Intility Arena, the hosts recorded their first shot on goal through Mawa Sesay (2nd) and then attacked early on, so that the Wolfsburg women had difficulty getting dangerously in front of the opponent’s goal. Although VfL had significantly more possession of the ball, they had to repeatedly play around the back because Valerenga’s defense was compact and didn’t reveal any gaps.

It wasn’t until the 18th minute that the guests came close for the first time: Alexandra Popp’s shot was blocked. Shortly afterwards, Beerensteyn couldn’t get the ball under control in the six-meter area despite an artistic jump (23′). But as the game went on, the action on the pitch shifted to the hosts’ half. Nevertheless, it took until the final minute of the first half before captain Tove Enblom was really challenged: she saved her team from falling behind by defending against Beerensteyn.

Hörte counters Beerensteyn’s opening goal

Immediately after the restart, Bjelde had a chance to make it 1-0 for Wolfsburg, but she didn’t hit the ball properly (46′). Popp (just over, 52′) and Cora Zicaj (just over, 53′) did a little better shortly afterwards. But VfL’s opening goal was only postponed: Saedis Run Heidarsdottir played a catastrophic bad pass right into Beerensteyn’s legs, the Dutchwoman moved into the penalty area and, despite several opponents, finished with her left to make it 1-0 (57th).

The completely deserved tour of the guests only lasted a few minutes. After a corner it became confusing in the Wolfsburg penalty area, Stina Johannes parried against Eline Hegg, but Hörte then pushed the ball over the line at the far post (60th).

VfL with an abundance of chances, but with luck on the penalty spot

But the VfL women continued to play tirelessly forward. Zicai’s shot hit the crossbar (67′), Minge missed the “Wolf’s” next chance with his head (73′). On top of that, Arna Eiriksdottir almost headed the ball into his own goal – but the ball only landed on the crossbar (77th). There was hardly any relief for Valerenga, VfL restricted the Norwegians in their half and pushed for the lead again.

But danger also lurked behind. During one of the hosts’ rare counterattacks, VfL keeper Johannes had to stretch to prevent the score being 2-1 (87′). Then things got very bitter for Valerenga: in stoppage time, the ball jumped into Naina Inauen’s hand, and after checking by the VAR, referee Marta Huerta de Aza awarded a hand penalty. Minge stayed cool and scored the 2-1 winner (90+8). Immediately afterwards it was over. A happy but also deserved victory for VfL.