Women

Linder strikes late to earn draw

She-Wolves held to 2-2 draw against Juventus in first leg.

The women of VfL Wolfsburg battled to a 2-2 (0-1) draw against Juventus FC in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League at the AOK Stadion. After falling behind early through Ana Capeta (7) and conceding again in the second half to Amalie Vangsgaard (61), the She-Wolves showed great character and mounted an impressive comeback. Janina Minge converted a penalty (83) before Sarai Linder struck deep into stoppage time (90+5) to secure a deserved equaliser.

PERSONNEL

VfL head coach Stephan Lerch made four changes to his starting XI compared to the opening win against 1. FC Köln: Thea Bjelde came in for Judit Pujols, Caitlin Dijkstra returned from injury to replace Sophia Kleinherne, Joelle Wedemeyer started in place of Camilla Küver, and Vivien Endemann took over from Kessya Bussy.

MATCH ACTION

The match began evenly, with both teams looking to establish control in midfield (4). However, it was the visitors who struck with their first real opportunity: Capeta rose to head home from a corner and give Juventus a 1-0 lead (7). The She-Wolves gradually took control thereafter. Vivien Endemann (10) and Svenja Huth (15) registered the first dangerous efforts, while Lineth Beerensteyn also tested the goalkeeper following a swift counter-attack (23). Juventus remained a threat from set pieces and rattled the crossbar (39). Despite promising spells, Wolfsburg were unable to find an equaliser before the break.

After the restart, the Green-and-Whites continued to push forward but initially struggled to create clear-cut chances (60). Juventus once again proved clinical: Vangsgaard’s effort took a deflection and looped unstoppably into the net (61). The She-Wolves refused to be discouraged and pressed for a way back. Following a VAR review for handball, the referee pointed to the spot. Minge stepped up and confidently converted to make it 2-1 (83).
In the closing stages, the VfL women threw everything forward. Linder reacted quickest to a rebound on the left edge of the penalty area and fired the ball superbly into the top right corner in stoppage time (90+5), sparking jubilant scenes as Wolfsburg claimed a dramatic equaliser.

GOALS

  • 0-1 Capeta (7): Capeta rises highest in the box following a corner and heads the ball into the net to give Juventus the lead.
     
  • 0-2 Vangsgaard (61): Vangsgaard gets a shot away in the penalty area under pressure; the ball takes a deflection and loops over Stina Johannes into the net.
     
  • 1-2 Minge (83): Minge calmly converts the resulting penalty to bring the She-Wolves back into the game.
     
  • 2-2 Linder (90+5): After a rebound on the left edge of the penalty area, Linder strikes first time and sends the ball into the top right corner.

LINE-UPS AND STATISTICS

VfL Wolfsburg: Johannes – Bjelde (72 Bergsvand), Dijkstra, Wedemeyer, Linder – Minge, Popp, Peddemors (72 Kielland) – Huth, Beerensteyn (85 Lattwein), Endemann (72 Bussy)

Substitutes: Tufekovic (GK), Smolarczyk (GK), Kleinherne, Pujols

Juventus FC: de Jong – Lenzini, Kullberg (67 Calligaris), Harviken – Bonansea (83 Thomas), Brighton, Wälti (55 Schatzer), Carbonell – Stölen Godö (83 Krumbiegel) – Capeta (67 Beccari), Vangsgaard

Substitutes: Rusek (GK), Beccari, Calligaris, Cambiaghi, Gallina, Girelli, Krumbiegel, Moretti, Pinto, Rosucci, Schatzer, Thomas

Goals: 0-1 Capeta (7), 0-2 Vangsgaard (61), 1-2 Minge (83), 2-2 Linder (90+5)

Yellow cards: Popp, Huth / Harviken, Stölen Godö, de Jong

Referee: Alina Pesu (Romania)

Attendance: 2,452 at the AOK Stadion