Highly praised, but with mistakes
Lena Oberdorf, the symbolic figure of the lurching DFB women
February 26, 2024, 7:33 p.m
Despite being just 22 years old, Lena Oberdorf has long been one of the most important players in the DFB team. She is causing a stir with her explosive move within the Bundesliga. She is also the focus of the hoped-for Olympic qualification.
Father and advisor Frank Oberdorf says his daughter doesn’t need all the extra stuff. She actually just wanted to play football. That’s why Lena Oberdorf is holding back on interviews. The midfielder, who is so important for the German national team, really doesn’t need the excitement surrounding her announced move from VfL Wolfsburg to FC Bayern Munich – right in the middle of the Olympic qualification.
Oberdorf also wants to fulfill the dream of the Summer Games. The game for third place in the Nations League against the Netherlands on Wednesday (8.45 p.m./ZDF and in the ntv.de live ticker) in Heerenveen is the last opportunity for the DFB women to buy their ticket for the Olympic Games in Paris (July 26th to August 11th). They missed their first chance last Friday evening.
Harsh criticism from Popp
The 2-1 defeat against France was once again an example of how the game often stands – and sometimes falls – with Oberdorf: The 22-year-old cleared a lot in midfield in Lyon, but then caused a penalty that resulted in the 0: 2 led. “She doesn’t have to come with a tackle,” captain Alexandra Popp later openly criticized her club colleague. “She can put her body in there better and block the ball.”
After Marina Hegering was substituted due to injury, Horst Hrubesch placed Oberdorf in central defense, where she intervened in her usual resolute manner and also set “playful accents” in the build-up to the game, as the interim national coach noted.
Since her national team debut in 2019 at the age of just 17, Oberdorf has enjoyed the highest recognition in professional circles: at the 2022 European Championships she was named the best young player; However, she accepted the trophy with tears in her eyes after the final defeat against England. She experienced the 2023 World Cup debacle in Australia as a late starter – she went into the tournament with a thigh injury and only played from the second game onwards.
Interim national coach with praise
With Oberdorf’s commitment for the new season, FC Bayern is landing a transfer coup; in Wolfsburg, Oberdorf has drawn an exit clause in her contract. The two clubs did not provide any information about the transfer fee, but a sum of 400,000 to 450,000 euros is rumored – a record for a move within the Bundesliga. “I now have the opportunity to take the next step in my career in Munich and still be close to my family and friends,” said Oberdorf. “The vision for the next few years convinced me to sign in Munich. I’m looking forward to the new challenges that will allow me to grow as a player and person.”
In principle, Hrubesch also sees further potential: “Obi is still a long way from being where she actually belongs.” For Hegering, Oberdorf is someone with “outstanding talent who can play anything in the central area. You can also put them up front, you can have them play on the ten, on the eight, on the six and on the IV.” , the central defense position. According to Hegering, you can rely on your Wolfsburg teammate a thousand percent – even now. Is she worried that Oberdorf won’t perform to the fullest because of the headlines surrounding her move? “Nope,” Hegering said without hesitation.
After her steep rise, the world-class player herself repeatedly struggled with her ambition and the demands she placed on herself. “That you just don’t expect too much of yourself,” is something she has had to learn since the European Championships, as she once explained: “And if it’s not a good game, then that’s just the way it is.” Basically, Oberdorf is someone who speaks as straightforwardly as she acts – when she speaks. It was not without reason that the award for the “Football Saying of the Year 2022” went to the now 45-time national player: “Women’s football, men’s football. It’s one football.”