reset Real MadridReal Madrid’s women’s team made a strong statement in the Champions League! On Matchday 5 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Los Blancos defeated VfL Wolfsburg 2-0 (1-0) at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, despite playing with ten players for the entire second half. With 10 points, the capital city team currently sits in third place in the group and is right in the thick of the action for the top four spots, which lead directly to the quarterfinals at the end of the group stage.
Real Madrid women ahead of the Champions League clash against Wolfsburg – Photo: REAL TOTAL
As expected, Real Madrid coach Pau Quesada fielded his strongest eleven, including Caroline Weir, who had rested against Real Sociedad at the weekend, Linda Caicedo, and Sara Däbritz. It became clear in the opening minutes that it would be a tough match against the German runners-up. Wolfsburg immediately took control, pressing high up the pitch and putting Real Madrid under early pressure, creating several excellent chances in the first quarter of an hour, while the home team initially focused on counter-attacks. However, Real Madrid then ventured further into the opposition’s half and were promptly rewarded: after a corner from Eva Navarro, center-back María Méndez headed home to give Real a 1-0 lead. The goal not only boosted Real Madrid’s confidence but also shocked the Germans, who subsequently lost almost all of their initial momentum. From then until halftime, Quesada’s team dictated the tempo and ultimately deserved their narrow lead. However, just moments before the half-time whistle, Real Madrid’s women weakened themselves, as defensive leader Maelle Lakrar received her second yellow card after a foul and had to leave the field early.
Real MadridThe women’s team secured another victory at the Estadio Alfredo di Stéfano. On matchday 13… read more
Therefore, Quesada was forced to leave center forward Alba Redondo in the locker room and substitute Rocía Gálvez for the center of defense. Even with a player down, Real Madrid remained courageous and created the first clear-cut chance of the second half in the 53rd minute through Linda Caicedo. Although Wolfsburg subsequently increased the pressure, Real Madrid’s women held firm and remained dangerous on the counter-attack. And that’s exactly how the 2-0 came about in the 67th minute, when Linda Caicedo escaped the Wolfsburg defense and, in her inimitable style, rounded the goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball home. Just a few minutes later, the Colombian again dribbled through the opposing defense, but her cross was fired by Caroline Weir just inches wide of the goal. Until the very end, Däbritz and Co. allowed nothing to go wrong despite Wolfsburg’s visual superiority and secured an important and well-deserved victory – despite the second sending-off in stoppage time, when substitute Iris Ashley received a direct red card for a foul.
- FC Barcelona Women: 10 points*
- Juventus: 10
- Real Madrid Female: 10
- Lyon: 10*
- Wolfsburg: 9
- Arsenal: 9
*One less game completed
Places 1 to 4: Direct qualification to the quarterfinals, places 5 to 12: Qualification to the playoffs
For the Blancas, the next match is this coming Sunday in the domestic Liga F with an away game against the women of FC Granada (December 13, 12 pm), before they travel to Enschede next week in the Champions League to face FC Twente (December 17, 21 pm), where they hope to take the next step on their way to the knockout stage.
UEFA Women’s Champions League
league phase, 5rd matchday
Real Madrid Femenino 2:0 VfL Wolfsburg
Location: Madrid, Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano
Viewers: 1.171
Real’s formation: Misa – Eva Navarro (Cristóbal, 90+5.), María Méndez, Lakrar, Yasmim – Angeldahl, Däbritz, Weir (Shei, 87.) – Feller (Iris Ashley, 79.), Linda Caicedo (Athenea, 79.), Redondo (Rocío Gálvez, 46.)
Gates: 1:0 María Méndez (19th), 2:0 Linda Caicedo (67th)
