After a defeat at the start, Wolfsburg wanted to get their first points in the Champions League against Lyon. However, things turned out completely differently.
The women of VfL Wolfsburg have to cope with their second defeat in their second game in the Champions League. After the 0-1 defeat at AS Roma, the Wolves suffered another 0-2 (0-1) defeat at home against Olympique Lyon on Thursday.
Coach Tommy Stroot’s team appeared absolutely desolate, especially in the first half, and didn’t have the slightest chance against the top team from France. The guests took the lead in the 8th minute with a header from Wendie Renard. Lyon continued to dominate the game at will after that, but didn’t manage to score again until half-time.
The second half also started very poorly for Wolfsburg. After an unnecessary foul by Janina Minge, the guests were given a penalty, which Lindsey Horan safely converted (53rd minute). Wolfsburg then threw everything into the balance and even created one or two scoring chances. But a goal was no longer possible.
“We are disappointed that we lost,” said Popp. Compared to the convincing 2-0 win against FC Bayern at the weekend in the Bundesliga, the team “didn’t really manage to be aggressive in the duels.” The courage was also missing. “You can say it was also a small lesson,” admitted the long-time DFB captain, who wants to play her last game in the German national jersey on October 28th against Australia in Duisburg.
Positive: At least Alexandra Popp was able to walk again after the game. “I’m fine,” she said on the club’s own TV on the sidelines. Shortly before the final whistle of the Champions League game against Olympique Lyon, Popp limped off the pitch with support. “It was actually a short shock. My foot was numb for a moment.”
The defeat leaves the Wolves in Group A with zero points. Only thanks to the better goal difference, Wolfsburg is still in third place ahead of Galatasaray Istanbul, who also have no points. AS Roma leads the table ahead of Lyon. Both have six points. The whole game can be read in the live ticker:
90. Minute +6: We are now six minutes over time. Now referee Grundbacher has seen enough and blows the whistle. Wolfsburg loses 0-2.
90. Minute +4: The injury time is over, but there is still a bit more to go. Popp and Dumornay get entangled and both remain lying. Both need to be treated. That doesn’t look good. Both get back to their feet, but limp off the pitch. Popp can barely put his right foot down.
90. Minute +3: Wolfsburg tried to move forward again in the final minute, but acted too hectically and lost the ball. Lyon countered and van de Donk finished centrally again, but Frohms spread out and parried the ball.
90. Minute +1: There are three minutes on top. Actually there should be another corner for Wolfsburg, but instead there is a goal kick. Huth gets a little too upset about this and sees the yellow card. There is also another change. Wedemeyer comes on for Wilms.
90. Minute: The last minute of regular playing time is underway. Wilms prevails again on the right. Her low cross is deflected for a corner.
89. Minute: On the other side, Lyon gets another corner – to the dismay of Hendrich, who didn’t touch the ball last. The corner brought nothing, but Wolfsburg’s counterattack also came to nothing.
88. Minute: Wolfsburg is really trying hard to get another goal here. But Lyon is now playing this down as confidently as possible.
83. Minute: Now Wolfsburg is really putting pressure on us. Jonsdottir dribbles his way from midfield to the edge of the penalty area and shoots. The ball goes flat to the left corner, but Endler grabs it.
82. Minute: By the way, Lyon has changed again. Van de Donk is in the game for Diani.
81. Minute: Wolfsburg again. Endemann comes from the right, plays the ball into the middle, where it ends up at Beerensteyn. However, your completion is blocked.