The extended lead in the top game against FC Bayern Munich was not the only reason for the VfL Wolfsburg footballers to be happy on Sunday. When the number of spectators was announced, thunderous applause resounded through the Volkswagen Arena. With 21,287 spectators in the Volkswagen Arena used for the top duel, the women from Lower Saxony narrowly missed the record in the women’s Bundesliga on Sunday. But at least for VfL, who won the game 2-1 (1-0), the number of visitors in the league was a club record.
“It was a really well-rounded thing for women’s football. I hope that this game will attract even more people to the stadiums in the future,” said VfL coach Tommy Stroot. Defender Kathrin Hendrich spoke of the “dot on the i” in view of the backdrop: “We celebrated with the fans, it’s a lot of fun and you get goosebumps,” added the central defender. The league best of 23,200 visitors was set at the beginning of the season in the game between Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern.
Wolfsburg extended their lead at the top of the table to five points with their fifth win in five games of the season. In the final phase, the guests missed the equalizer despite good chances. However, the game sometimes lacked the goosebumps moments mentioned by defender Hendrich. In general, both teams made unfocused passes in the early stages, and some shots clearly missed their target.
Despite a huge chance from Wolfsburg’s offensive player Alexandra Popp (6th minute), who shot the ball over the crossbar in front of the goal, both teams fought a balanced duel in the early stages. A header hit by Popp (21st) was disallowed for offside.
A deflected shot by attacker Ewa Pajor (41′) saved the Wolfsburg team in what was at times a tough game. National player and captain Svenja Huth (58th) scored the 2-0 in the second half with a spectacular volley that bounced off the post and into the goal. In the 73rd minute, Klara Bühl scored the goal. Munich’s Jovana Damnjanovic failed in the final phase with a header against the post.
“We conceded the goal a bit carelessly. Then Bayern turned it up a bit again. I think we showed a very good energy performance today,” said Huth.
After the bitter 0:6 in the previous season, the Munich team defended passionately and didn’t allow many chances for the VfL offensive. With a win, FCB would have overtaken the league leaders from Wolfsburg.
