Hunger for goals satisfied: VfL women fill half a dozen in Nuremberg

by Florian Neuhauss

Four days after the 2-0 defeat at Real in the Champions League, when the “Wolves” remained goalless despite good chances, coach Stephan Lerch’s players were in a goal-scoring mood. Alexandra Popp (26th), Vivien Endemann (45th + 4th), Lena Lattwein (58th), Justine Kielland (60th/69th) and Kessya Bussy (84th) gave Nuremberg a good helping hand. Franziska Mai’s goal (63′) only made a limited difference in the result.

The Franconians showed on Wednesday that the newcomers definitely have quality in their 5-3 win against Wolfsburg’s pursuers Eintracht Frankfurt. Wolfsburg, however, was overwhelmingly superior to the “Club” (31 shots on goal) – and moved within three points of league leaders Bayern Munich. The champions can still improve on Sunday against HSV.

“She-wolves” are not immediately snappy, but are oppressively superior

The Wolfsburg women’s frustration from the Real game was clearly noticeable in Nuremberg. The “Wolfs” stormed forward from the kick-off. Within the first two minutes, Popp (1st/direct free kick) and captain Janina Minge (2nd/after a good combination) had good opportunities to make it 1-0. Only – like in Madrid, the VfL women treated their chances carelessly. Lattwein (6th) and Minge (25th) both failed at the post.

Results, table standings and match days at a glance.

But Nuremberg was simply unable to capitalize on this. And just a minute after the second aluminum goal it was 1-0. Janou Levels crossed, Popp pounced on the ball and headed it in (26′).

On the other hand, Martina Tufekovic, who looked after the VfL goal for the first time for the injured Stina Johannes, remained almost unemployed. And the 2-0 win at the break was well deserved. After a long ball from Cora Zicai, Endemann ran free to Larissa Rusek, who initially slipped away. Endemann went around the keeper and pushed the ball over the line (45th + 4).

Four goals in eleven minutes – and Kleinherne’s debut

After the break, the guests quickly made things clear. After a cross from Levels, Lena Lattwein made it 3-0 with a direct pass (58th). Just two minutes later, Justine Kielland crossed from a short corner into the middle – past her friend and enemy into the net – to make it 4-0.

But the Nuremberg women didn’t want to admit defeat that easily. After a free kick, the ball fell at Mai’s feet – and the midfielder hit the corner powerfully to make it 4-1 (63′). But it only took six minutes for the old distance to be restored. This time Lattwein was the preparer and staged Kielland with a lot of overview; and the Norwegian drove the ball under the crossbar to make it 5-1.

Sophia Kleinherne also provided positive news. The defender, who was seriously injured with the national team during the European Championships, made her first appearance for VfL in the last 20 minutes. However, the last point was Bussy, who filled the dozen.

The VfL Wolfsburg footballers also deservedly won 6-1 against the newly promoted team in Franconia.

The VfL women failed at Real because of their own chances. This also had immediate consequences in the table.