The VfL Wolfsburg footballers face a final for a place in the quarter-finals on Wednesday evening in the group phase of the Champions League against AS Roma. If they won by two goals, the “Wolves” would advance early. In the event of a defeat, the end would be sealed.
So no big tactics are to be expected from the Lower Saxons on Wednesday (6.45 p.m., in the live ticker on NDR.de) in their home stadium in Allerpark. Even in the event of a draw, VfL’s chances of qualifying for the round of the last eight would be reduced to a minimum, as their opponents on the last group match day away are league leaders Olympique Lyon, while the Romans host Galatasaray Istanbul, the bottom team who have not yet been able to compete.
“We know what it’s about. Everyone is focused.”
— VfL defender Hendrich
“Win or fly” is Wolfsburg’s motto for the duel with the Italians. Because in the Champions League, if there is a tie on points, the direct comparison decides. And because the “Wolves” lost to AS 0-1 away, they now have to win by at least one goal difference in order to maintain their chance of progressing. In this case, a point in Lyon would be enough for coach Tommy Stroot’s team to keep Rome at bay. But of course it would be even better for the Bundesliga club to achieve greater success in order to create facts early on.
Frohms: “We all have to pull ourselves together”
The initial situation is quite complicated – and everyone at VfL is aware of it. “Anything other than a win is simply impossible,” goalkeeper Merle Frohms summed it up. The 29-year-old demands full concentration from her teammates: “We all have to pull ourselves together and do our jobs. There’s a final coming up.”
There are no doubts about the footballing qualities of the “Wolfs” for such an all-or-nothing game. The big question, however, is whether the Lower Saxony’s nerves will hold up. The slightly greater pressure ultimately falls on her shoulders. Supporting one’s own supporters is therefore likely to be even more important than usual. And coach Stroot also hopes that the fans will support his team: “It’s an absolute advantage for us, we have to fill it with life and create scoring opportunities.”
Stroot calls for more aggressiveness
However, during the dress rehearsal for the “premier class crime thriller” against Rome, the development of options didn’t go well at all. Wolfsburg lost 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen last Friday and slipped from first to fourth place in the table at the end of the first half of the season. A bitter defeat that couldn’t shake her self-confidence. “I believe in the team, I believe in us, so we keep going,” explained all-rounder Svenja Huth.
In addition to the right attitude, a bit more footballing sophistication and, above all, power in attack will also be necessary against Rome in order to prevent an early exit. “We have to take steps in terms of aggressiveness,” says Coach Stroot, outlining the route for the comparison with the Italians.
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NDR 2 Sport | 12/11/2024 | 11:03 p.m
