SC Freiburg was also unable to stop VfL Wolfsburg’s women’s run in the DFB Cup over the years. The Wolves won the final of the competition on Thursday (May 18th, 2023) 4-1 (1-1) for the ninth time in a row – in front of a record crowd.
“We’re just happy,” said a hoarse Alexandra Popp after the game about the renewed triumph. The national player was also happy about the record number of 44,808 spectators: “Now you can see what we did with the World Cup,” said Popp.
Freiburg coach Theresa Merk was naturally disappointed: “We had great chances, we actually have to take the lead ourselves before we concede the second goal. It’s totally bitter that it’s 4-1 now because it sounds like it’s super unbalanced been a game, but I didn’t feel that way.”
She-wolves start the game furiously
In fact, the result belies the fact that Wolfsburg had to stretch quite a bit for the renewed title. Four days after the 4-0 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt, the Wolves started the DFB Cup final furiously and after a short time the impression was created that, like last season, when there was a 4-0 win against Turbine Potsdam, there was a clear one matter could become.
In the fourth minute, Gabrielle Lambert was only able to deflect a harmless shot by Lynn Wilms with her foot in the Freiburg goal and deflected the ball against the leg of her teammate Lisa Karl, who gave Wolfsburg the lead with an own goal. An unfortunate action by Lambert, who is actually only number three in the SC women
Lambert and the bar save Freiburg
The 29-year-old continued to be the focus of attention after that, but after her mistake she was responsible for keeping Freiburg in the game. Lambert parried a hidden shot from Svenja Huth with a strong reflex (16′), and she was there in the near post against Felicitas Rauch (28′). But the goalkeeper was also lucky that shortly before an unfortunate cross from Alexandra Popp had hit the crossbar and not into the goal (22nd).
“It shows the difference in quality between the individual players. They will continue to play that out now, they seem totally focused.”sports show expert Nia Künzer analyzed Wolfsburg’s dominance. “I can’t yet imagine that there will be a changeover. But the Freiburg women have to shake themselves now and look for their chance.”
Minge turns the gameplay upside down
And it actually came. After 40 minutes, the Freiburg women appeared in the opposition penalty area for the first time, but a tackle from Lena Oberdorf prevented Karl from scoring her own goal and scoring in favor of her team (41st). Success brought the following corner. Hasret Kayikci crossed into the centre, where Janina Minge scored the equalizer with a header (42′).
Huge cheers from a large part of the spectators in the Cologne stadium, where a particularly large number of fans from Freiburg had traveled. Her biggest hope was Minge, who is also the top scorer in the Bundesliga with nine goals – and the 23-year-old nurtured that hope. Although the previous gameplay hadn’t suggested it at all.
Aluminum Freiburg can’t help this time either
Minge was Freiburg’s savior again at the beginning of the second half – this time in front of his own goal. After a flat cross, Popp came to the end, the striker, who played primarily in defensive midfield in the final, braced herself against her DFB colleague in her own penalty area and prevented the goal from being conceded (55th).
On the other hand, Giovanna Hoffmann missed the great chance for Freiburg’s lead from close range (57th) – and that should take revenge immediately. In direct return, Ewa Pajor hit the post from 17 meters, the ball bounced right in front of Rebecka Blomqvist’s feet, who failed in the first attempt by Lambert, but was then able to put in the 2-1 for Wolfsburg (58th).
Kayikci narrowly misses twice
The favorites pushed the pace again and looked for an early decision. Popp had the third VfL goal on his head, but Lambert was again able to defend well (61st). Two minutes later, Blomqvist only hit the side netting (63′).
But Freiburg fought back and had a good finish through Kayikci, who had scored the golden goal in the sixth minute of added time in the semifinals against RB Leipzig – but her shot went just wide of the Wolfsburg goal (71st). It was even closer for Kayikci in the 77th minute. The 31-year-old tried an unconventional shot with the pike from 16 meters out, but Wolfsburg goalkeeper Merle Frohms was able to fend off the deflected ball with a strong save.
Popp and Janssen ensure a clear affair
And then it happened, against which the women from Freiburg successfully resisted for so long. After a corner, Popp once again demonstrated her excellent header skills and scored the 3:1 for Wolfsburg (84th) – the decision. “I think that was a typical pop goal. I’m very happy that I was able to help the team in this way“, said the goal scorer after the game. Dominique Janssen was even able to increase the lead to 4:1 with a penalty kick (89th).
The Wolves also won the ninth cup final in a row and the tenth in the past eleven years. Wolfsburg haven’t lost a cup game since the 1-0 defeat at the round of 16 at 1. FFC Frankfurt on November 16, 2013 – even if it was perhaps a lot more difficult than expected. “I thought we could do a lot, we should have taken a 2-1 lead. It’s totally bitter that it was 4-1 now, it sounds like it was a super unbalanced game – and I didn’t feel that at all“said Freiburg coach Theresa Merk.
