Women

Draw against Essen

The VfL women draw 1-1 (1-0) with SGS Essen.

The women of VfL Wolfsburg were held to a 1-1 (1-0) draw by SGS Essen in their home match in the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga. At the AOK Stadion, Kessya Bussy gave the Green-and-Whites an early lead (4’) before Ella Touon equalised shortly after the break (47’). Despite numerous substitutions and a spell of pressure in the final quarter of an hour, the hoped-for winner failed to materialise.

PERSONNEL

Compared to the 1-1 draw against Juventus FC, She-Wolves head coach Stephan Lerch made four changes to his starting line-up: Sophia Kleinherne came in for Thea Bjelde, Guro Bergsvand returned to the starting XI in place of Caitlin Dijkstra, Justine Kielland started for Alexandra Popp, and Kessya Bussy replaced Vivien Endemann.

MATCH ACTION

The She-Wolves made a dream start, taking the lead with their first dangerous move of the game. The Green-and-Whites subsequently took clear control, keeping possession patiently and repeatedly looking for openings against a deep-lying Essen defence. A strong burst down the right from Svenja Huth almost set up the 2-0 (29’), but Lineth Beerensteyn failed to make clean contact with the ball. A free-kick shortly before the break also caused problems (45’), before VfL went into half-time with a deserved 1-0 lead.

However, the setback came soon after the restart: Essen ruthlessly converted their first dangerous opportunity to equalise (47’). In what was otherwise a largely uneventful spell, the She-Wolves struggled to create clear-cut chances. Kielland whipped a cross dangerously into the box (57’), while at the other end Ramona Maier attempted an acrobatic overhead kick (67’). As the game wore on, the Green-and-Whites increased the pressure, made attacking substitutions and pushed for the winner. The best chance fell to Ella Peddemors following a cross from Endemann (90+3’), but the ball was not struck cleanly. The match therefore ended in a draw.

GOALS

1-0 Bussy (4’): After a corner, SGS fail to clear decisively. The ball drops loose in the penalty area, Bussy reacts quickest, pokes it goalwards and forces it over the line.

1-1 Touon (47’): Essen threaten the VfL goal for the first time. From the edge of the box, Touon curls the ball into the top-left corner beyond the reach of Stina Johannes.

LINE-UPS AND STATISTICS

VfL Wolfsburg: Johannes – Wedemeyer (81’ Pujols), Kleinherne (61’ Dijkstra), Bergsvand, Linder – Minge (61’ Lattwein), Peddemors, Kielland – Huth, Beerensteyn (61’ Popp), Bussy (68’ Endemann)
Substitutes: Tufekovic (GK), Kerim-Lindland, Zicai

SGS Essen: Sindermann – Debitzki, Ostermeier, Bäcker (87’ Bounarroti) – Köpp, Platner, Touon, Flach – Kowalski (78’ van Belle) – Berentzen (72’ Agerholm Olsen), Maier (72’ Pucks)
Substitutes: Palmen (GK), Terlinden, Watermeier, Agerholm Kirchmann

Goals: 1-0 Bussy (4’) 1-1 Touon (47’)
Yellow cards: Flach
Referee: Miriam Schwermer (Rieder)
Attendance: 2,526 at the AOK Stadion