The next Niedersachsenpokal fixture awaits VfL Wolfsburg’s U17s this coming Saturday. At 14:00, head coach Christian Stegmaier’s side will take on JFV Lüneburg away in the quarter-finals.
“Really excited about this competition”
In JFV Lüneburg, the Young Wolves face a team from the Niedersachsenliga. After six matches, they sit third in the table with nine points and a goal difference of 17:11. The Green-and-Whites, meanwhile, remain unbeaten this season. Their record across all competitions stands at six wins and two draws. In the Niedersachsenpokal, the VfL youngsters secured their place in the quarter-finals with a commanding 10-0 victory away to JFV Calenberger Land.
Head coach Stegmaier is counting on his team to approach the game with the right mindset: “I know our boys are really excited about this competition. Even in the round of 16, they never underestimated the opposition at any point. Instead, they wanted to play their game and work on their own performance. It’ll be the same this weekend.”
Faith in the entire squad
The cup tie falls during the current international break, which has also brought a change to the Young Wolves’ usual training routine. Alongside those away on international duty, several U17 players were given the opportunity to train with the first team. “We’re not quite in our usual training rhythm at the moment, but that’s no problem at all. Getting that insight into the first team is hugely valuable for the boys. They then come back into the dressing room with new experiences and can share them with the others,” explains Stegmaier, who will “rotate in several positions” for the cup tie. After all: “We have faith in our entire squad.”
After the international break, the Young Wolves face an immediate test in the DFB-Nachwuchsliga, with Hertha BSC first up for the Green-and-Whites. “The game in Lüneburg will also be useful with the league in mind, as it will help us get back into our rhythm. We want to maintain our level of performance in the second half of the season,” adds the U17 coach.
