National player Sarai Linder (11th) gave Wolfsburg an early lead. But, aided by weaknesses in VfL’s defense, the visitors turned the game around before half-time with goals from Tuana Mahmoud (35th) and new signing Larissa Mühlhaus (40th). After VfL equalized through Lena Lattwein (61st), Werder took the lead again a minute later – again with active help from the favorites: Janina Minge passed back to goalkeeper Merle Frohms, but the ball rolled past Frohms, whose attempted save was no longer enough to prevent the score from becoming 2:3.
Four minutes later, Bremen goalkeeper Livia Peng shot at national player Alexandra Popp. The ball flew – clearly visible on television – onto the Werder goal line and, thanks to the spin, back into the field. Nevertheless, referee Nadine Westerhoff decided it was a goal. There is no video evidence in the Women’s Bundesliga. The Bremen team, which was severely weakened by a lack of replacements, continued to hold out and, even though they were outnumbered, managed to save the unexpected draw against the disappointing Wolfsburg team after Lara Schmidt received a yellow-red card (88′).
Wolfsburg coach Stroot was really angry afterwards. “I deliberately said how important these games are,” said the 35-year-old. “I’m actually a bit annoyed now, as you don’t often see me,” he said in the press conference. Luck wasn’t always on VfL’s side during the game, said Stroot. “When you see the goal that makes it 3-3, then of course it was,” he admitted.
The draw was definitely a setback for their own ambitions. VfL Wolfsburg sees itself as a challenger to FC Bayern Munich. Now the cup winners are behind from the start. “That’s why it annoys me. Because I know that more could have been achieved,” said Stroot. “We have to look honestly in the mirror: the lack of quality in our play cost us the points,” said captain Alexandra Popp on the Sport1 microphone.
