Champions League: Wolfsburg’s women defeat Paris SG 4-0

by Christian Görtzen

Unlike the Munich team, who lost 7-1 to FC Barcelona the evening before, VfL placed themselves in the top group of the Champions League table thanks to the home win. As with the men, there are no longer groups of four, but an overall table with all teams – for the women there are 18.

The best four teams after six match days are directly in the quarter-finals, another four clubs have to qualify through play-off games. Next Wednesday the Wolfsburg women will be visiting Valerenga IF from Norway. The other opponents are Olympique Lyon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

The VfL women cannot enjoy their victory against Paris – which was too big – for long. On Saturday (3 p.m., in the live center at NDR.de) there will be a summit meeting with defending champions Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga’s home arena – the league leaders welcome the pursuers.

PSG gives Wolfsburg the lead with an own goal

Lerch had made three changes to his starting eleven on Wednesday evening compared to the 8-0 win in the Bundesliga against SGS Essen. Instead of Justine Kielland, Vivien Endemann and Kessya Bussy (all substitutes), Svenja Huth, Cora Zicai and Lineth Beerensteyn were there from the start.

After just seven minutes, the “she-wolves” were able to celebrate their lead – thanks to the kind help of the guests. After a corner from VfL defender Janou Levels, Alexandra Popp headed the ball at the first post. PSG player Jackie Groenen tried to clarify the situation in the five-meter area. But this failed completely: she maneuvered the ball into her own goal, pressed by Caitlin Dijkstra.

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

Things could have gotten even better soon after. After a header return from Parisian Eva Gaetino that was too short, Zicai had a great chance. But she acted too awkwardly and then passed it to Beerensteyn, who was ultimately denied by PSG goalkeeper Mary Earps (15th). Popp had another good opportunity with a header – again after a corner from Levels (27th).

But: The French runner-up then made significant gains and now had good opportunities. Joe Echegini failed with a shot from 18 meters past Wolfsburg goalkeeper Stina Johannes (31st). Merveille Kanjinga’s chance was even better just a minute later.

Peddemors increases to 2-0 for VfL

When it looked as if Paris would soon equalize, the “She Wolves” struck coldly. Huth initially shook off her opponent with a courageous attack on the right wing and then showed a lot of overview. She beautifully played the ball back into the path of Ella Peddemors, who cleverly scored to make it 2-0 (42′). With the lead we went into the break.

Johannes has strong support – Popp and Minge meet

Ten minutes after the restart, the guests turned up the heat alarmingly. It was very close with a shot from Kanjinga after 55 minutes. The ball almost slipped through Johannes’ legs, but she let herself fall onto it at the last moment and thus prevented the goal from being scored. And just two minutes later, Elimbi Gilbert caused great danger.

After a chance for Beerensteyn (62′), it was once again the agile Parisian Kanjinga who was denied by Johannes (73′). After that, there wasn’t much more from the French. But still from the VfL women. They got back into the game better and even increased significantly. Popp made it 3-0 (90th) and Janina Minge even made it 4-0 (90th+5) with a hand penalty after the VAR tip.

The “Wolves” won 8-0 at the bottom of the table, are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga and are now also leaders.