UEFA Women’s Champions League Preview: Wolfsburg Frauen vs. Manchester United W.F.C.
| Lineth Beerensteyn | Pauline Figuet/Getty Images |
Wolfsburg Frauen will return to Volkswagen Arena for their home game against Champions League debutants Manchester United on Wednesday. The match will kick off what promises to be another eventful matchday in the ever-growing competition.
Stephan Lerch’s lost to OL Lyonnes 3-1 last week, but they recovered with a cup victory over SC Freiburg by the same scoreline on Saturday. Lineth Beerensteyn grabbed her ninth goal of the season with the only strike of the first-half.
Germany U23 international Nia Szenk scored an own-goal before Cora Zicai sealed the win with her first involvement as a substitute. 2. Bundesliga leaders SC Sand are the only non-Bundesliga club in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal Frauen.
As for their form in Europe, Wolfsburg started with wins over PSG and Vålerenga before their lackluster performance in Lyon. This will be their first Champions League game of the season at the 30,000-seater Volkswagen Arena.
Manchester United are one of the only three clubs yet to drop points in the Champions League this season. However, they will come to this game wounded after a 3-0 defeat to city rivals and WSL leaders Manchester City.
Team News
Including the captain Janina Minge, Lerch rested a few key players in the weekend’s cup tie. Dutch international Janou Levels and Ella Peddemors will most likely return to the starting lineup, while Zicai would also fancy getting the nod ahead of Kessya Bussy.
Manchester United have confirmed Ella Toone and Simi Awujo are in the matchday squad despite injuries in the weekend’s defeat at the Etihad Stadium. Center-back Dominique Janssen spent five years at Wolfsburg before returning to England in 2024. Melvin Malard and Fridolina Rolfö could return to the XI after playing the derby as substitutes.
Predicted Lineups:
Wolfsburg: Johannes; Wedemeyer, Dijkstra, Küver, Levels; Minge; Huth, Peddemors, Zicai; Popp ©, Beerensteyn
Man Utd: Middleton-Patel; Sandberg, Janssen, Le Tissier ©, Riviere; Miyazawa, Rolfo, Toone, Zigiotti Olme, Park; Malard
