Wolves stumble at the start of the season

Despite the personnel changes during the summer break, the seven-time champions showed their morale. The hosts twice came from behind and saved a point thanks to national team captain Alexandra Popp (66′). However, Wolfsburg coach Tommy Stroot’s team were denied a win despite having a numerical advantage in the final phase.

“We have to look honestly in the mirror: The lack of quality in our play cost us the points,” Popp said on the Sport1 microphone. The goalscorer did not want to draw any conclusions about the course of the season from the tie: “We are not suffering from fear or a lack of self-confidence. We are lagging behind, but that was somehow obvious because we are not the favorites.”

The last time Wolfsburg failed to win its opening game of a season was nine years ago. However, after the scoreless draw against SC Sand, the Lower Saxons started each of the following seven seasons with a win.

Bremen faced unexpectedly tough resistance. After VfL took the lead through Sarai Linder (11th minute), the Hanseatics turned the game around before half-time through Tuana Mahmoud (35th minute) and Larissa Mühlhaus (40th minute). Wolfsburg equalized through Lena Lattwein (61st minute) and Bremen took the lead again through an own goal by national goalkeeper Merle Frohms (62nd minute). Popp’s goal to make it 2-0 shortly afterwards prevented Wolfsburg’s first opening defeat in 15 years (2:3 in September 2009 against 1. FFC Frankfurt).

Munich had started its “Operation Title Defence” in keeping with its status. Bayern won the season opening match last Friday against first division returnees 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam 2-0.