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Wolfsburg have been in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals in seven of the last 10 seasons and have a great chance to get there again after last week’s 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of this quarter-final tie.
A solitary penalty from defender Dominique Janssen decided the first leg in Paris, handing two-time former champions Wolfsburg the advantage now that they are home for the return fixture.
Europe could also be a welcome respite for the German side, having lost to domestic rivals Bayern Munich since beating PSG and being knocked off the top of the Bundesliga in the process.
PSG had slightly better fortune, securing a narrow win over Montpellier in France’s Division 1, but both teams ended the game with 10 players after an violent confrontation between Kadidiatou Diani and Montpellier goalkeeper Lisa Schmitz.
Lena Oberdorf was a surprise inclusion in the Wolfsburg team for the first leg, having initially been expected to miss out. She then went on to complete 90 minutes against Bayern.
Both Alexandra Popp and Lena Lattwein would miss the next game with a booking here.
Elisa de Almeida is suspended following her red card in the first leg, adding to PSG’s worries in the centre of defence given that Pauline Dudek and Amanda Ilestedt remain out through injury.
Jackie Groenen was forced off less than half hour into the weekend win over Montpellier, while star forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto remains a long-term absentee.
A disappointing domestic setback aside, Wolfsburg arguably come into this one in better shape and have the added advantage of being at home with an existing aggregate lead.
There was very little to separate te sides in the first leg, but expect Wolfsburg to kick on now.
