Wolfsburg Frauen will host Manchester United in the opening fixture of UEFA Women’s Champions League matchday three at the Volkswagen Arena on Wednesday. This match marks the introduction of Manchester United to the Champions League, promising an exciting contest.
Wolfsburg recently fell to OL Lyonnes with a score of 3-1 but bounced back with a similar victory over SC Freiburg in the cup match on Saturday. Lineth Beerensteyn was instrumental in this win, netting her ninth goal of the season. The match also saw Nia Szenk, a U23 international for Germany, score an own-goal, while Cora Zicai secured the victory with her first touch after being subbed in. Notably, SC Sand is the only non-Bundesliga club that has reached the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal Frauen.
In their European campaign, Wolfsburg had commenced with victories against PSG and Vålerenga, but their performance against Lyon was subpar. This match will be their first Champions League game at the 30,000-seater Volkswagen Arena this season.
Manchester United remains one of three clubs yet to drop points in the Champions League this season, although they arrive at this game following a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in the WSL.
In team news, Wolfsburg's coach Stephan Lerch rested several key players, including captain Janina Minge, during the recent cup match. Expected returns to the starting lineup include Dutch international Janou Levels and Ella Peddemors, with Zicai aiming to start ahead of Kessya Bussy.
Manchester United confirmed that Ella Toone and Simi Awujo are part of the matchday squad despite suffering injuries during the loss at the Etihad Stadium. Dominique Janssen, a former Wolfsburg player, will face her old team, while Melvin Malard and Fridolina Rolfö could potentially return to the starting eleven after serving as substitutes in the derby.
Predicted lineups for the match include:
Wolfsburg: Johannes; Wedemeyer, Dijkstra, Küver, Levels; Minge; Huth, Peddemors, Zicai; Popp ©, Beerensteyn
Manchester United: Middleton-Patel; Sandberg, Janssen, Le Tissier ©, Riviere; Miyazawa, Rolfo, Toone, Zigiotti Olme, Park; Malard
0 Comments