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Champions League: Wolfsburg women look forward to “Battle” against Arsenal

Champions League: Wolfsburg women look forward to “Battle” against Arsenal

The 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain is enough for the women from Wolfsburg to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League – “the next caliber” and old acquaintances are waiting there with WFC Arsenal.

The dream of the triple title lives on for the women at VfL Wolfsburg. After the German champions had advanced to the semi-finals with a 1-1 (1-1) draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League, all eyes went to London.

“We’re looking forward to this battle,” said VfL trainer Tommy Stroot about the semi-final duels at the end of April against Bayern conquerors WFC Arsenal.

Before that, in front of 14,367 fans in the VW Arena, a goal by striker Alexandra Popp (20th minute) was enough to get through, because Paris was only allowed to celebrate once thanks to Kadidiatou Diani (30th). The Wolfsburg women had won the first leg 1-0 – which is why hot duels against Arsenal are now waiting. “This is the last step towards the final and we want to decide it for ourselves,” said the strong Popp.

“Arsenal has also brutally strengthened again”

“We still know Arsenal, we still know how Arsenal feels from last year, we also know how high the individual quality is,” explained Stroot and played on the quarter-final duels between his team and the “Gunners” last year Champions League season. At that time, VfL advanced after a 1-1 draw in London and a 2-0 home win.

Nobody in Wolfsburg would have anything against a repeat, but defender Kathy Hendrich warned: “Arsenal have also brutally strengthened again.” She was impressed by the way the English played in the well-deserved 2-0 win against Bayern. Arsenal play “really, very nice football. The next caliber is coming our way.”

Lena Oberdorf shared Hendrich’s views. Arsenal have “developed immensely,” said the midfield clearer. The fast-paced game of the top English team reminds her of VfL last season: “They play a bit of the football that we showed last season over long stretches and where we want to go again.”

“We made it too easy for Paris”

The fact that not everything is going as desired at VfL this season despite reaching the semi-finals was particularly noticeable against Paris in the first half. PSG dominated, while the hostesses also failed at times with simple passes. “In the first half we were far too passive, made it far too easy for Paris, were far too far away from our opponents,” complained Hendrich. It wasn’t until after the break that “VfL was on the pitch that we want it to be.”

Many tried to explain the two different performances, including Popp. “We’re in a phase where we don’t really play football with the self-image we’ve had in the last six months,” explained the goal scorer, who couldn’t give any precise reasons for this: “So we’re a bit dissatisfied with your own performance.”

“Have become a really strong team”

Most recently, the Wolfsburg women had lost their lead in the Bundesliga with a 0-1 draw in Munich to FC Bayern. With a one-point deficit, however, defending the title is still possible, as is winning the DFB Cup, which will take VfL back to Munich in the semi-finals on April 15.

So both national titles are still in there – and the Champions League? Seems tangible. “They have become a really strong team. You saw that against Bayern, but you also saw where the gaps are,” said Oberdorf, looking at Arsenal. The exact dates of the semi-finals have not yet been set, but VfL wants to be ready for the “Battle”.

Source: Stern

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