UEFA Women’s Champions League preview: Vålerenga Damer vs. VfL Wolfsburg Frauen

VfL Wolfsburg hope to maintain their perfect record in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Wolfsburg will continue their European adventure in Oslo against Norwegian champions Vålerenga. The two-time Champions League winners started their campaign with a 4-0 win over PSG. Vålerenga lost to debutant Manchester United as the only goal came from a penalty-kick by Maya Le Tissier, who has been the subject of discussion following Sarina Wiegman’s latest press conference.

The two teams currently sit second in their respective leagues. And, both suffered home defeats to the league leaders over the weekend. In a hard-fought encounter, Wolfsburg lost 3-1 to Bayern at Volkswagen Arena. Similarly, Vålerenga were defeated 4-2 by Brann despite scoring twice inside the first six minutes.

One of the challenges for Stephan Lerch’s side will be the artificial turf at the Intility Arena. In his pre-match press conference, Lerch reiterated that it’s not a situation they’re accustomed to in the past, but he admitted that makes it “a good place to play”.

Thea Bjelde will return to the club she left in the summer, but she has only played 40 minutes in all competitions for Wolfsburg’s first team. On the other side, Vålerenga’s Karina Saevik played one season at Wolfsburg back in 2020/21.

The visitors will be without Svenja Huth and Ella Peddemors due to injuries. The latter scored one of the goals against PSG, with the experienced winger providing one of her two assists of the night. Both are expected to return to the side in the weekend’s Frauen-Bundesliga fixture in Leverkusen.

Predicted Lineups:

Vålerenga Damer: Enblom ©; Hørte, Kovacs, Eiríksdóttir; Hansen, Brekken, Vickius, Tennebø; Hegg, Thorsnes, Sævik

VfL Wolfsburg Frauen: Johannes; Linder, Wedemeyer. Kuver, Levels; Minge, Kielland; Bussy, Popp ©, Zicai; Beerensteyn