The Frauen-Bundesliga returned from the winter break and started into the second round with a bang. The fixture between Turbine Potsdam and TSG Hoffenheim has been moved to March because the pitch was unplayable.
SC Freiburg 2–3 FC Bayern München
Now that’s what top games are all about – both teams going end to end. Olympic gold medalist Melanie Behringer kicked things off with yet another free kick goal in the 4th minute. Thomas Wörle’s team had control for much of the game but couldn’t create any chances against an aggressive and compact Freiburg team. As the game wore on, the more balanced it became. Carolin Simon marked the equalizer for Freiburg in the 32nd minute after a pass by Lena Petermann through Bayern’s defense reached her. The second half started just as hectic as the first one. Vivianne Miedema added another goal to her list by marking the lead for the current reigning Frauen-Bundesliga champions in the 49th minute with a nice header. But “Die Bayern” aren’t the only team who can score after a corner: Freiburg did the same in the 64th minute and this time it was Petermann who brought the hosts back into the game.
The next corner led to yet another goal: Behringer again, Nora Holstad with the goal, making it 2–3 after 70 minutes! But the 1,227 visitors were in for a real treat. Lina Magull was brought down in the penalty area but Carolin Schiewe couldn’t convert it. Bayern keeper Manuela Zinsberger sealed the victory for the champions. Also: Melanie Leupolz finally made her comeback after a long-term injury.
Watch the full game here.
Borussia Mönchengladbach 0–2 FFC Frankfurt
Borussia Mönchengladbach are still waiting to collect their first points in the Frauen-Bundesliga. A brace by German international Mandy Islacker in the first half (31′, 38′) ruined their dreams of making club history. Notable: 18-year-old defender Selina Ostermeier made her official debut and did a great job defending next to captain Saskia Bartusiak. It wasn’t Frankfurt’s best performance as Gladbach didn’t make it easy for them. Even though the newcomers have yet to collect any points, they are getting used to the high level and have stabilized their play. Rene Krienen’s team has certainly proven that they can anger bigger teams, but Frankfurt’s individual quality made the difference this time. The result is definitely an improvement considering the first game between both clubs ended in a 8-0 victory for the guests.
Watch highlights here.
SGS Essen 1–1 MSV Duisburg
Essen lost important points in the race to keep connected to the top. No wonder head coach Daniel Kraus wasn’t happy with his team’s performance. His team lacked creativity even though they were able to keep possession of the ball most of the time. Inka Gring’s team, on the other hand, played more determined — they have nothing to lose! Rahel Kiwic had two great chances but Essen goalkeeper Lisa Weiß was able to clear. Essen had only one real chance in the first half but forward Charline Hartmann couldn’t hit the empty net. German international Sara Doorsoun lost possession before half time which lead to Kathleen Radtke feeding Lara Heß with a great cross and the forward had no trouble marking the lead for the guests.
Kraus seemed to have found the right words during his halftime speech because the hosts improved in the second half: duels were more aggressive, play was faster with direction toward goal. It took them only eight minutes to collect a reward for the improvement when former Duisburg player Irini Ioannidou scored the equalizer after a collecting a pass from Kirsten Nesse.
Watch highlights here.
FF USV Jena 1–1 Bayer Leverkusen
Both teams went into the game with only 6 points. But there was no real winner in the end as both are now still level with 7 points. The fear of a possible relegation is still there after a harmless 1-1 draw. Jena’s Lina Hausicke marked the lead for the hosts in the 12th minute in front of 407 spectators. It was their first real chance of the game. In talking about efficiency, Leverkusen were lacking exactly that. Thomas Obliers’ team had plenty of chances to mark the equalizer but couldn’t convert any of them. There was also a questionable penalty that wasn’t given. Central defender Merle Barth hit the net in the 76th to save at least one point for the guests. Leverkusen put up a good fight, showed great team spirit, and were the dominant team. A performance that will give them hope moving forward.
Watch highlights here.
VfL Wolfsburg 4–1 SC Sand
Danish international and newest VfL Wolfsburg signing Pernille Harder made her official home debut for the club and immediately left her mark in the impressive win over SC Sand, who just recently had to let go of Colin Bell. The 55-year-old has left the club to take the opportunity to coach Ireland’s women’s national team. While the first clash between both clubs ended in draw, it didn’t take the Wolves long to show in what direction the game was headed. A cross by forward Tessa Wullaert found Swiss international Lara Dickenmann who had no trouble finding the lead just three minutes into the game. The Belgium international increased the lead in the 31rd minute as the hosts went into halftime with a comfortable 2–0. Things got a little hectic for Sand at the beginning of the second half: keeper Carina Schlüter managed to save a shot from distance by Harder, but failed to defend an attempted clearance by defender Claire Savin, so it became 3–0! Sara Björk Gunnarsdottir sealed the deal six minutes later by scoring her first Frauen-Bundesliga goal. The goal by Nina Burger in the 80th minute made it 1–4 but didn’t help the team in blue.
Wolfsburg managed to claim and strengthen their second place in the table while SC Sand remain in the middle of the table with 17 points.
Watch highlights here.