The VfL Wolfsburg women have lost their first competitive match of the new season. In the Google Pixel Supercup final, head coach Stephan Lerch’s side were beaten 3-0 (2-0) by FC Bayern München at the Audi Sportpark in Ingolstadt. The Green-and-Whites made the better start and had several opportunities in the first half, but two set-pieces converted by Jovana Damnjanovic (32’) and Klara Bühl (45’+4) put the Munich side on course for victory before the break. Immediately after the restart, Bühl made it 3-0 (46’). The She-Wolves refused to give up after that, but a goal of their own was not forthcoming on the night.
Team news
Stephan Lerch opted for Stina Johannes in goal for the opening competitive fixture of the season. In front of her, Thea Bjelde, Lieske Carleer, Camilla Küver and Sarai Linder all started. Weronika Arasniewicz, Janina Minge and Ella Peddemors lined up in midfield, while Svenja Huth, Anny Kerim-Lindland and Cora Zicai formed the attack. Lena Lattwein, Cecilie Floe Nielsen and Giovanna Hoffmann remained unavailable, while Kessya Bussy and Smilla Vallotto were also absent. The match in Ingolstadt came too soon for Mara Alber.
Match summary
The She-Wolves settled into the game well and looked to get forward from the outset. In the very first minute, Zicai cut into the penalty area from the left but sent her effort over the bar. It was not long before VfL threatened again: Huth delivered a cross for Zicai, who got two shots away in quick succession, but both were blocked by the Bayern defence (6’). As the match wore on, Bayern also began to find their rhythm, initially without posing any major threat to the Wolfsburg goal. After a quieter spell, the Green-and-Whites began to threaten again. Carleer switched play to the left with a diagonal ball, from where Zicai’s cross picked out Huth, whose header found the side-netting (30’). Two minutes later, Bayern took the lead at the other end. Damnjanovic got her head to a free-kick from around 25 metres out. Johannes tried to keep it out but collided with the post as the ball crossed the goal line (32’). The She-Wolves initially appeared unfazed by the setback and soon had a golden opportunity to equalise. Zicai cut inside from the left and struck a low shot against the post (38’). Instead of an equaliser, however, Bayern doubled their advantage shortly before the break. Bühl curled a free-kick straight towards goal. No player managed to get a touch and the ball nestled in the bottom-right corner (45’+4), sending VfL into the dressing room 2-0 down.
