Bayer Leverkusen took the lead in the women’s Bundesliga with a surprising home win against VfL Wolfsburg.
The Rhinelanders won 1-0 on Friday evening in the Ulrich Haberland Stadium with a goal from Cornelia Kramer (47th). With the win, the Werkself climbed to the top of the table, at least temporarily, one point ahead of Wolfsburg.
Latte and Frohms save for Wolfsburg
The Wolves went into the game without the injured Jule Brand, but with the confidence from seven wins in a row and had their first good chance through Marina Hegering after a corner (3rd). Wolfsburg dominated the game in the first few minutes, but was no longer dangerous in front of the goal. After a quarter of an hour, Leverkusen appeared in the opponent’s penalty area for the first time: VfL goalkeeper Merle Frohms was there to respond to a sharp cross from Janou Levels.
After 20 minutes the game was level, with slight advantages for Leverkusen. In the 27th minute, Loreen Bender had a great chance to take the lead, but was denied by Frohms. Bender was dangerous again less than three minutes later, but he didn’t hit the ball correctly on a volley and missed the goal (30′). Shortly before the break things got really spectacular again. Caroline Kehrer first hit the crossbar of the Wolfsburg goal, and Frohms brilliantly parried the follow-up shot (43′). So the 0-0 score at half-time was a little flattering for the She-Wolves.
Kramer meets and initiates Opportunities Festival
After the break, Leverkusen picked up where they left off and deservedly took the lead. After a high ball from Katharina Piljic, Kramer prevailed in front of the Wolfsburg goal and made it 1-0 (47th). The goal should have been the starting signal for an open exchange of goals in the following minutes.
For Wolfsburg, Hegering initially failed with a long-range shot past Friederike Repohl, and Svenja Huth also found her master in the Leverkusen goalkeeper in the follow-up shot (53′). On the other hand, Levels hit the post (56th). After Alexandra Popp aimed a little too high for the Wolves from close range and while falling (63′), Kehrer missed the 2-0 goal for Bayer in a one-on-one with Frohms (64′). Substitute Caitlin Dijkstra tried from a distance for Wolfsburg, but narrowly missed the Leverkusen goal (72nd).
It remained a festival of opportunities on both sides. For Leverkusen, Kramer narrowly missed making it 2-0 in the 80th minute. On the other hand, Lilla Turanyi saved from Lineth Beerensteyn (81′). Shortly before the end of regular time, Huth had a shot, but Repohl was there (89′). The hosts also ended the six minutes of injury time without conceding a goal.
