VfL Wolfsburg have scrambled their way into the Champions League group stage. A big slip-up by Bordeaux goalkeeper Moorhouse seemed to pave the way for VfL in the second leg after their 3-2 win in the first leg of the qualifying round. But the Wolves still had to go into a penalty shoot-out after a slip-up of their own.
After a narrow 3-2 win in the first leg of the Champions League group stage qualifier, VfL Wolfsburg started the second leg against Girondins Bordeaux with commitment, but much of their attacking play was lacking. Defensively, the Wolfsburg women repeatedly made mistakes, which were not punished at first.
Two blunders, two goals
More importantly, VfL punished a bad mistake in the Bordeaux defence: goalkeeper Moorhouse flicked over a back pass and gave Pajor the 1:0 (25th). However, the lead did not give Wolfsburg any security – quite the opposite: first Doorsoun lost the ball, then Janssen laid it on precisely for Snoeijs, who scored the equaliser before the break (36th).
Pajor lets lead slip
The second period started livelier than the first, which was also due to Bordeaux, as the Frenchwomen now did more and came close through Folkertsma (47th) and Snoeijs (49th). But the Wolves also played their part and should have taken the lead again through Pajor, when the attacker missed alone in front of goal (51.).
Gomes forces extra time
In the following period, the game became very restless, with no organised action. The first beautiful action was then immediately successful: After a change of sides, substitute Gomes took off from the edge of the penalty area and overcame Schult with a beautiful shot from distance (67.).
The goal had an effect, because the Wolves were almost no longer dangerous going forward. Bordeaux looked more aggressive in this phase and had a great chance through Gudmundsdottir shortly before the end to book their place in the group phase, but the substitute shot from an acute angle just beside the goal (84th). In injury time, Pajor almost equalised, but she failed to hit the aluminium and Lattwein was also unable to put the rebound into the net – the game went into extra time.
Pajor supposedly redeems Wölfinen
There Wolfsburg presented themselves more structured again and were more often present offensively. Huth kept an overview in the penalty area and crossed ideally for Pajor, who was ice-cold this time (102.). Wolfsburg, who had been shaky for a long time, were now virtually back in the group stage – but once again missed a crucial goal: Blomqvist only gave Cardia an escort in the 119th minute and could only look behind the ball, which flew over Schult for 3:2. Now the penalty shoot-out had to decide.
Two Schult and one post
In the penalty shoot-out, Bordeaux’s nerves fluttered. VfL goalkeeper Schult saved Perisset’s and Bilbaut’s penalties, while Oberdorf and Pajor converted for the Wolves. After Folkertsma had hit the post, Doorsoun made sure of a place in the group phase with a 3-0 win.
