VfL Wolfsburg Women suffered a narrow defeat in their final league phase assignment in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, losing 2-1 at home to Chelsea. The result sees the Green-and-Whites finish ninth in the UWCL league phase table, putting them in the play-offs in the next stage.
Strong first half
Stephan Lerch’s side came out all guns blazing and took the lead courtesy of a long-range shot by Alex Popp (16’). The She-Wolves had plenty more chances in the first period but failed to capitalise, with Chelsea riding their luck and then going on to equalise through Lucy Bronze.
Endemann hits the woodwork
Sam Kerr gave the Blues the lead in the 64th minute, and although VfL gave it their all, the match ended in a 2-1 defeat. Vivien Endemann was particularly unlucky to see her shot cannon back off the bar in time added on.
The She-Wolves will be back in action on Sunday, when they host Hamburger SV in the AOK Stadion (kick-off: 18:30 CET).
Goals
- 1-0 Popp (16’): Goal! Janou Levels feeds Popp, who shrugs off her opponent and then lets fly with a volley from 20 yards to make it 1-0!
- 1-1 Bronze (45’): After a corner, Erin Cuthbert sends the ball into the box, where Bronze is on hand to equalise.
- 1-2 Kerr (64’): Chelsea ramp up the pressure. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd crosses from the right and picks out Kerr, who finds herself unmarked as Camilla Küver loses her footing. Kerr needs no second bidding to nod home past Stina Johannes.
Reaction
Stephan Lerch: “We started the game really well, played with a great deal of intensity and took a deserved lead. It was frustrating to concede the equaliser just before the break. Chelsea were stronger in the second half, there’s no denying that. However, the team never gave up and they tried everything. With a bit of luck we could maybe have scored an equaliser. It’s a shame about the result but my team produced a really good performance against a top side.”
Line-ups and stats
VfL Wolfsburg: Johannes – Levels, Küver, Bergsvand, Linder (83‘ Bjelde)– Peddemors (61‘ Lattwein), Popp, Minge (74‘ Kielland) – Bussy (61‘ Endemann), Beerensteyn, Huth (83‘ Zicai)
Subs: Smolarczyk (GK), Tufekovic (GK), Kleinherne, Vallotto, Wedemeyer, Pujols
Chelsea FC: Peng – Girma, Bright, Bronze – Baltimore (74’ Charles), Walsh (74’ Kaptein), James (46’ Nüsken), Cuthbert, Carpenter (54’ Rytting Kaneryd) – Thompson, Kerr (80’ Beever-Jones)
Subs: Hampton (GK), Buurman, Reiten, Hamano, Jean-Francois, Potter, Beever-Jones
Goals: 1-0 Popp (16‘), 1-1 Bronze (45‘), 1-2 Kerr (64‘)
Yellow cards: Lattwein / Bright, Baltimore
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti (Italy)
Attendance: 2,627 at AOK Stadion
