Will the women of VfL Wolfsburg still be German champions? The defending champions host Freiburg on the last day of the Bundesliga game, but they have to hope that Bayern Munich will slip up again.
Normally, the “wolves” are used to being chased by the competition. But the situation is different before this season’s finale: the VfL women are two points behind leaders Bayern Munich, who missed out on winning the title early with a 0-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on the previous day.
Is there still something for the Wolfsburg women? “My reaction after the Meppen game showed it: I still believe in it,” said Alexandra Popp before the season finale on Sunday (2 p.m.) against Freiburg. On the penultimate day, the national player made it 3-2 in injury time against the Emslanders and kept VfL in the title race.
“It’s Potsdam’s last game in the Bundesliga. Forces can be unleashed again that will cause Bayern to stumble again.”
— Alexandra Popp
In order for the women from Wolfsburg to win the championship, the women from Lower Saxony are dependent on the support of the bottom team, Turbine Potsdam in Munich. “The probability is very, very low. But I’m very optimistic,” said Popp.
Popp would rather have a championship trophy than a top scorer cannon
And there is another duel between the women of Wolfsburg and Munich: the fight for the top scorer cannon. With a total of 16 goals, Popp scored two goals more than her competitor Lea Schüller from FC Bayern.
There could also be a shooting competition between the two players on Sunday – which is disadvantageous for Wolfsburg’s championship chances, which would disappear with every Schüller goal.
“Of course I would be happy about that,” said the 32-year-old. “But I’d rather celebrate the championship, I’d be happy to go to Munich with the top scorer cannon.”
After recent rather weak performances, Popp admitted that the long season has left its mark on VfL. The short break after the European Championships in England is now taking its toll. Nevertheless, this is no excuse for the performances shown recently: “We have to play more purposefully towards goal. That was not enough in the last few games,” criticized the VfL captain, who warned of the repeat of the cup final on the last matchday. “Freiburg will make life very difficult for us. We have to do our homework.”
DFB sends out two shells
In any case, the German Football Association (DFB) is prepared for all scenarios and is planning on a two-pronged basis. The original championship trophy will be at the game of the leader in Munich, a duplicate at the home game of VfL. Accordingly, two honorary delegations are on the way. Silke Raml, Bundesliga match director and chairwoman of the DFB committee for women’s and girls’ football, and national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg will be there in Munich. Karen Rotter, member of the committee for women’s and girls’ football, and Voss-Tecklenburg’s assistant coach Britta Carlson are traveling to Wolfsburg.
Champions League final as the grand finale?
And if it doesn’t work out with the championship trophy, the “wolves” can still win the Champions League title against FC Barcelona. The final on June 3 in Eindhoven also casts its shadow before the league final. “It’s great that the stadium is sold out and it’s almost a shame that we don’t play in a bigger arena. I think more people would have come,” said Popp happily.
And maybe a small miracle in Munich will give the VfL women the unexpected chance to reach for the triple triumph again in the anniversary year of the treble in 2013.
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sports club | 05/28/2023 | 10:50 p.m
