In the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League, VfL Wolfsburg footballers receive FC Barcelona on Wednesday. The task against the defending champion is very difficult – and probably the last chance of a title this season for the Lower Saxony.
In the DFB Cup in the quarter-finals and in the Bundesliga after the recent bankruptcy in the top game at the leaders FC Bayern Munich, six points: the so-hungry “wolf” threatens the first title of season since 2012, especially since the Champions League quarter-finals could not be higher.
VfL coach Tommy Stroot spoke of a “mammoth task” at home against defending champion FC Barcelona before the first duel on Wednesday (6.45 p.m.). Defense player Janina Minge agreed: “This is an outstanding team, if not currently the best team in women’s football.”
Ex-VfL striker Pajor also extremely accurate at Barca
Among other things, Barca in Ewa Pajor “unfortunately also got a real top striker from VfL, Wolfsburg’s captain Alexandra Popp noted. The Polish international had said goodbye to the “wolf” towards Barcelona last summer after nine years and meets there as ever. But Pajor is by far “not the only player at the squad at a big pace” by Barca, said Popp. The duel with the Catalan also has a reunion with three other ex -Wolfsburg women – with Fridolina Rolfö, Caroline Hansen and Ingrid Engen.
In 2013 and 2014 VfL won the Champions League, then reached the final four times (2016, 2018, 2020 and 2023), but lost three times in a row against Olympique Lyon and almost two years ago against Barcelona.
Popp and the “surprise bag” Wolfsburg
In the final in Eindhoven, things went extremely bitter for the Lower Saxony. They already led 2-0, in the end it was 3-2 for the top team from Spain. “We still have an invoice,” emphasized Ralf Kellermann, VfL director women’s football. Popp, who perceives your team as a “surprise bag” because of a lack of consistency, promises a hot dance again: “We will punch everything in. We are aware that we also have to make it not easy.”
But she also left no doubt about her team. “I see the quality of this team,” emphasized the captain: “I know what this team has on it and I know what every single player has on it.”
The Wolfsburg women also believe in their chance against Barcelona. Popp: “Somehow everything is possible.” Minge is also certain: “Everything is in it – if we have a good day and a little luck on our side, then we can also beat Barcelona.”
Reverse game in Barcelona on March 27th
The “wolves” then play the second leg on March 27 (6.45 p.m.) in Barcelona. A German duel with Bayern Munich that hits record winner Lyon in the round of the last eight would be possible in the final in Lisbon at the earliest. In the semifinals, Wolfsburg would play against Manchester City or Chelsea.
Popp expects “just real top games. Champions League is of course a different feeling, another thing,” said the experienced striker before the dream duels, which the Bundesliga serves as a location determination in international comparison.
National coach Wück looks closely
National coach Christian Wück will also look closely, he is still tinkering with his squad for the European Championship in summer in Switzerland (July 2 to 27). “We have to make sure that the top German clubs are represented internationally as long as possible,” said Wück. “That is good for all of us, it is good for the players, it is good for the club.”
As the last German club so far, the then 1st FFC Frankfurt won the title in 2015, since then only Lyon (6 times) and Barcelona (3) had triumphed.
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Sport Current | 19.03.2025 | 9:17 p.m.
