Very often in the past 15 years, the Eintracht women have traveled to Wolfsburg with only the slightest hope of an outsider coup. They thought their chances would increase because the Lower Saxony star ensemble was under a lot of strain due to the various English weeks they had to deal with. Whereas the Frankfurt women were only spectators internationally for many years. When the SGE now competes against VfL this Sunday (2 p.m. on Magentasport and DAZN) in the large Wolfsburg Arena, the signs have changed.
It is the Hessians who have to master a grueling program with five competitive games within 15 days, the final point of which is the Bundesliga top game. On the other hand, the “Wolfs”, who had already failed to qualify in the Champions League, can go into the game rested after only two matches since the beginning of the year.
This is likely to be a factor in the game in which a lot is at stake for the Eintracht women. Coach Niko Arnautis is hoping for “another great energy performance over 90 minutes” – and the question will be whether the Hessians can do that against an opponent of VfL’s caliber. Especially since the SGE can currently boast a series of successes in national competitions, but the recent victories against weaker opponents do not directly indicate their current top form.
good job
On Thursday evening, SC Freiburg uncovered a few security gaps in Eintracht’s defense during Frankfurt’s 2-1 victory in the cup round of 16 in front of almost 2,000 spectators in the Brentanobad stadium, which urgently need to be closed against the much better and more callous Wolfsburg team. The offensive game was also slow at times. “We have to be smarter, both in our own possession and in the opponent’s possession,” says Coach Arnautis. This also requires more effectiveness in attack.
Nevertheless, the Frankfurt women have recently successfully completed all tasks in the league and cup. In the Bundesliga, they have recently taken 26 out of 30 possible points from ten games and have moved up to three points due to Wolfsburg’s slip-ups – last weekend the Green-Whites only managed a 1-1 draw in Leverkusen. What is a great achievement at this point in the season to still be able to stand up to the long-standing top duo Bayern and Wolfsburg.
Phalanx of the big two
Maintaining this will be the attractive and difficult task of the next three games. After the task in Wolfsburg, this period also includes a home game against the Munich champions – crucial weeks for the season for the SGE. Combined with the question of whether they can “only” defend third place, which entitles them to qualify for the Champions League again, or break into the phalanx of the big two for the first time. “We are so close to the top and have a huge chance of establishing ourselves there,” says left-back and goalscorer in the cup game Verena Hanshaw.
According to Arnautis, the coach concludes from the fact that the team is currently “playing games” in series: “We are on the way to becoming a top team.” The return of Sophia Kleinherne, who was recently absent due to illness, to central defense seems essential.
Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1 Alex Westhoff, Frankfurt Published/Updated: Alex Westhoff Published/Updated:
The national player, who like Nicole Anyomi has not yet extended her contract, which expires at the end of the season, is urgently needed. Their representative Jella Veit is only 18 years old and she completely lacks experience at this level when the SGE is aiming for its first away win in Wolfsburg in 15 years.
