Alexandra Popp has already won the Champions League in women’s football twice, Saturday in Eindhoven (03.06.2023, 4 p.m., ZDF and in the live ticker on the sports show) against FC Barcelona the third triumph beckons. The anticipation at VfL Wolfsburg is huge, only Bayern are a little disturbing.
That Popp terms like two days before the big showdown “fucking situation” and “shit topic” she didn’t want to use it that way either. Actually, at the moment it should only be about how the top favorite from Barcelona can be put in their place.
However, Popp believes that the Zoff about retiring the players from FC Bayern Munich ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20) requires these clear and hearty words.
“Decision more or less from behind”
The fact that the main national competitor and German champion FC Bayern only sends its players three days late to the preparations is extremely upsetting for the “wolves”. “There were agreements, it was also signed by all clubs, that we could come earlier”said Popp in her capacity as DFB captain: “To be honest, we were a bit shocked that Bayern Munich made such a decision more or less from behind.”
But Popp emphasizes “that it doesn’t come from the players. They were put in a really shitty situation by their own club.”
The women of VfL would in fact have much more reason to later travel to the national team. Their season ends at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday or, depending on how the final goes, a little longer. The balance of power in European club football speaks more for a Barca victory in the regular season. But Wolfsburg, most recently champions in the premier class in 2013 and 2014, is by no means ducking away.
Popp plea against fear
“We can only win. Barca are the clear favourites. Barcelona are very fond of possession, but we can also play football. We just have to have the courage to do it”says Pop. “It is crucial that every player is herself, not overpaced, but not afraid either.”
With the nationally and internationally extremely experienced Bundesliga top scorer – incidentally for the first time – you don’t have to worry. The question at VfL is rather where exactly on the field it will be responsible for moments of fear in the opponent. Her favorite position is known to be number nine, but she also plays in attacking midfield time and time again at the club.
Coach Stroot is still playing poker
Of course, VfL coach Tommy Stroot does not want to be looked at too early before the duel and prophesies: “We always look at which position Poppi suits the opponent best. And she can play a lot there. There is no player in Europe who has such an offensive header as Poppi, no one who bangs into the flanks like her. ”
Striker or midfield – Tommy Stroot has at least two variants with Alexandra Popp
In general, Stroot likes to play the outsider role: “We want to fulfill our dream because it’s realistic. Barça are the clear favourites. But I know how dangerous that makes us, what energy that can release. So I’m really looking forward to the final. We’re by no means without a chance, we have many weapons we can bring in.”
Lots of dangerous players at VfL
For example, in the 4-1 DFB Cup final against SC Freiburg on May 18, Popp “only” scored one of the Wolfsburg goals. Rebecka Blomqvist and Dominique Janssen also scored and Lynn Wilms forced an own goal. In the past Bundesliga season, Ewa Pajor was the second-best “Wolf” with twelve goals, followed by Tabea Waßmuth with seven. So if Barcelona focuses solely on Popp, that could even suit VfL.