New hierarchies before the top game
Once again Oberdorf fights against her future
March 23, 2024, 10:47 a.m
In the women’s Bundesliga, there are increasingly clear signs of a changing of the guard at the top. VfL Wolfsburg’s long-standing dominance is waning and FC Bayern is taking over. Also with the well-known Uli Hoeneß transfer tactic. A prominent example is Lena Oberdorf.
There is no lack of explosiveness. Lena Oberdorf’s move from north to south, the table constellation and the final question about number one in the country. At this Saturday (5.45 p.m., ARD/Magentasport and in the ntv.de live ticker) it’s that time again: the footballers of VfL Wolfsburg welcome their long-term rivals FC Bayern to the Bundesliga summit.
VfL is expecting more than 21,000 fans in the VW Arena, where the home team is playing for its last chance in the championship race and FC Bayern can almost reach the finish line. “We are looking forward to the game, it will be one of absolute equality,” says Bayern manager Bianca Rech, who is working hard to push her club past Wolfsburg in the long term.
In the short term, the basis has been laid from Bavaria’s perspective. Six match days before the end of the season, the defending champions from Munich alone will decide the outcome of the championship. FCB recently celebrated seven wins in a row, while Wolfsburg failed at TSG Hoffenheim (1:2) last weekend. The resulting four-point deficit annoys Ralf Kellermann: “It is clear that we no longer have it in our own hands to become German champions. We had of course wanted a different constellation,” said Wolfsburg’s sports director to the “Kicker” .
“Replace Wolfsburg as number one”
A wish that Bayern’s competition could express more often in the future. Some Munich statements before the top game are fueling the debate as to whether FC Bayern will overtake the VW club in the coming years. “We want to replace Wolfsburg as number one. We have currently done it – and we will do everything we can to keep it that way,” announced President Herbert Hainer.
Rech expressed himself a little more cautiously, but straight away: “Our goal is to continually win titles in Germany. VfL Wolfsburg has done a very good job in recent years and has made progress – you have to recognize that.”
VfL has won seven championships, two Champions League titles and the DFB Cup ten times since 2012. Bayern won four championships and one cup triumph in the same period. In the future it can be a little more, especially internationally, after this season it already ended in the group phase of the Champions League. “It’s very clear to us: We want to play in Europe – not just play, but also win titles,” says Rech.
Oberdorf transfer is the biggest coup
The fact that she poached the top player from her national rival is reminiscent of the tried and tested Uli Hoeneß tactic. The summer signing of Wolfsburg’s Lena Oberdorf, which was announced in mid-February, hits VfL twice as hard, as they also have to say goodbye to Dutch national player Dominique Janssen after the end of the season. In terms of sport, the dangerous midfielder can hardly be replaced, and alongside Alexandra Popp and Bayern’s Giulia Gwinn, she is considered the most prominent face in the national team. “It was clear to us that if we were given the opportunity to hold discussions, we would also like to take this opportunity,” explains Rech, explaining the transfer coup in a very matter-of-fact manner.
“Yes, it’s better to have them on our team in the future – even though we almost never play directly against each other,” Gwinn told Kicker. “She simply has enormous presence and charisma. It’s an added value when you have her on the team.” The change became known about a month ago; the German record fee for the 22-year-old is said to be between 400,000 and 450,000 euros. She “really liked” the club’s “vision of what they want to achieve in the next few years,” said Oberdorf, explaining her decision, which has a signal effect.
With the Oberdorf deal and the recently announced contract extension of national player Sydney Lohmann – according to Rech after a challenging path – personnel planning in Munich for the new round has largely been completed. All that’s missing is a win on Saturday for the perfect Bayern weeks, but Rech warns: “The history in Wolfsburg doesn’t necessarily speak for FC Bayern.” The last success on the Mittelland Canal so far came on October 5, 2008, and the league record since then: eight defeats, six draws.
Rech is hoping for the end of the series and more stability in her own game: The results were good recently, “but the performance can certainly still be improved,” she said. “When you lead 2-0 in a game, it’s about finishing the game consistently and with concentration.” Which would also describe Munich’s situation in the championship.