The footballers of VfL Wolfsburg are facing the eleventh quarter-finals in the Champions League one after the other.
The German champions won 4-2 (2-1) on Thursday evening against pursuers AS Roma, despite major difficulties in the meantime. The team around Vice-European Champion Alexandra Popp in Group B is only missing one win from the last two games to progress.
Attacker Ewa Pajor put the Wolves in the lead (24′). The goal was reminiscent of Japan’s controversial winner against Spain (2-1) at the men’s World Cup.
Sveindis Jonsdottir scratched the ball off the baseline, Pajor headed in. Jonsdottir followed up (40′), national player Lena Lattwein (52′) and again Pajor (53′) scored the other goals. Andressa Alves (42nd) and Sophie Haug (76th) scored for the Italian runners-up.
Weaknesses in the defense of VfL Wolfsburg
After four games, the Bundesliga leaders with no points lost are in first place with ten points.
Roma, who drew 1-1 in the first leg, follow with seven points. The Wolfsburg women still meet Slavia Prague (0 points) and in Austria SKN St. Pölten (3).
After initial problems and the injury-related replacement of top performer Jill Roord (10th), the German cup winner took command in front of 2711 spectators, but revealed weaknesses on the defensive.
After several big chances were missed, Pajor redeemed the team of coach Tommy Stroot, who never got the lively opponent under control.