VfL Wolfsburg Women comfortably secured their place in the round of 16 of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. VfL recorded a 2-0 (1-0) victory away to SK Sturm Graz in the second leg, leaving no doubt about their progression following their emphatic.
The Green-and-Whites controlled proceedings for long spells and deservedly took the lead through a superb Lou Bogaert free-kick (32’). VfL remained in control after the break before substitute Anny Kerim-Lindland sealed the 2-0 victory late on (84’). The result gave VfL an 8-1 aggregate win and a place in the next round. The draw for the round of 16 will take place this Friday at 13:00 CET.
Team news
VfL head coach Stephan Lerch made seven changes to the side that started the 6-0 win away to SC Sand. Stina Johannes replaced Martina Tufekovic in goal, Thea Bjelde came in for Joelle Wedemeyer and Lou Bogaert replaced Sarai Linder. Smilla Vallotto, Janina Minge, Mara Alber and Lara Prasnikar also came into the starting XI in place of Ella Peddemors, Katharina Piljic, Svenja Huth and Anny Kerim-Lindland respectively.
Match summary
VfL Women took control from the outset, confidently moving the ball around their own ranks. The hosts initially sat deep and looked to pose a threat on the counter. VfL enjoyed plenty of possession and looked to get forward early, but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities in the opening stages.
Graz threatened the Wolfsburg goal for the first time after 17 minutes, although a cross from the left was too imprecise and the flag went up for offside. At the other end, Minge registered VfL’s first dangerous effort shortly afterwards, forcing the Graz goalkeeper to parry the ball away (22’).
The Green-and-Whites continued to increase the pressure and got their reward just after the half-hour mark. Alber was brought down on the edge of the penalty area and Bogaert stepped up to take the resulting free-kick, curling a superb effort from the right-hand corner of the box into the top-right corner to give VfL a deserved lead (32’). Alber in particular continued to cause problems down the right. VfL lacked the final touch from open play before the break, however, and went into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead.
The Green-and-Whites picked up where they had left off after the restart, once again enjoying plenty of possession. Graz nevertheless remained a threat on the counter and even had the ball in the Wolfsburg net in the 53rd minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
VfL controlled proceedings thereafter without initially creating any further clear-cut chances. Prasnikar had an opportunity to make it 2-0 just after the hour mark, but her close-range header was kept out by an excellent save from the Graz goalkeeper (61’).
The game became quieter as the second half wore on. With ten minutes remaining, VfL came within inches of doubling their advantage. Prasnikar worked her way into the penalty area and laid the ball off to Wedemeyer, whose first-time effort struck the right-hand post (81’).
Moments later, substitute Kerim-Lindland made no mistake. Bussy played a precise low ball in behind the defence, allowing Kerim-Lindland to round the goalkeeper and slot into the empty net for 2-0 (84’). VfL comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to seal their place in the round of 16.
