Women

VfL Women set for Stuttgart first

Wölfinnen face newly promoted side who are yet to lose.

The VfL Wolfsburg women head south for Matchday 4 of the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. On Sunday 13 September, they take on VfB Stuttgart at the Gazi-Stadion auf der Waldau from 14:00 (live on Magenta Sport and DAZN). It will be the first meeting between the two teams. The VfB women only gained promotion to the Women’s Bundesliga this summer.

Stuttgart want to “give it everything”

Stuttgart have made an impressive start to the season, recording 2-1 victories over Hoffenheim and Hamburg. On both occasions, the Baden-Württemberg side came from 1-0 down to win. They have also recorded a 3-3 draw against 1. FC Nürnberg. “We’re really looking forward to our second home game. Wolfsburg are one of the absolute top teams. We’re delighted to have the chance to test ourselves against players of this calibre and go up against such a top club,” VfB women’s head coach Nico Schneck told the club website. He added: “If Wolfsburg hit 100 per cent, it’ll be difficult – but it’s still possible. We’re ready and we’ll give it everything.”

Wölfinnen looking to keep winning

It has been an emotional few days for the Wölfinnen, with a last-gasp victory over Werder Bremen followed by defeat away to Inter Milan. They have therefore used the past week to recover and prepare intensively for Stuttgart. The Green-and-Whites have made the perfect start to the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga with three wins and currently sit top of the table.

VfL Wolfsburg-Trainer Stephan Lerch sitzt bei der Pressekonferenz.

Ahead of the game against VfB Stuttgart, Lerch spoke about…

…team news: Giovanna Hoffmann and Cecilie Floe are not yet available. Cecilie’s recovery is progressing well at the moment. Even so, we’ll still have to be patient for another week or two. All the other players are available. Lena Lattwein has also been given the all-clear to play again, but we’ll wait and see how she gets through tomorrow’s training session.

…the opposition: Stuttgart are a very experienced team with a lot of Bundesliga experience. But they also have some young, fearless players in the squad, so overall they have an exciting blend. What stands out is how carefree they are in their approach, that they have a clear idea of how they want to play and are very purposeful. It feels as though nothing can faze them. They know what it takes when you come into the top flight as a newly promoted side.

…the objective for Sunday: VfB are still unbeaten. We’re going there looking to show them what it feels like to suffer a defeat. It’ll be a big challenge.

…conceding a lot of goals from set-pieces: Of course, it’s something we have to address. It’s been part of our work in training this week. It really bothers us that we’re conceding so many goals from set-pieces. So of course we want to improve in that area, but it’s a process.

…ambitious promoted clubs like Stuttgart: We all know that, alongside VfB, other clubs with big men’s teams have also set out on this path and are aiming for promotion to the top flight. Those who are serious about it put the necessary foundations in place early on so that they are properly prepared. That applies to VfB, but also to Union Berlin, for example. If clubs like these make a clear commitment to women’s football, their name and financial resources give them a good platform to build something sustainable and establish themselves in the top flight over the long term. That’s why this season, we’re seeing that it’s far from clear who will ultimately be relegated to the second tier.