Do the Wolves take an important step towards the quarter-finals?

For the first time in history, a complete group stage will be played through in the 2021/22 Women’s Champions League. However, because there are only four groups in total, i.e. 16 teams, the wheat was already separated from the chaff in many places during the qualifying phase. The performance density is therefore relatively close, although in each group of four there is usually at most one club that does not meet the highest international standards.

In Group A, there are three top teams, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Chelsea, who are all aiming for a place in the quarter-finals. Servette Geneva, fourth in the group, merely serve as a points supplier. The German runners-up and the reigning title holders from England currently have the best chances of advancing with four points each after two games. “Le Bianconere”, on the other hand, is already under pressure at home against the Lower Saxons on Tuesday evening. However, that does not change the fact that Juventus are only considered outsiders against Wolfsburg according to the odds.

Coach Joe Montemurro’s side lost their home game against the Blues four weeks ago and are in danger of losing their second home defeat to a direct rival. From a purely qualitative point of view, a prediction of a three-goal win between Juventus and Wolfsburg is absolutely obvious. Nevertheless, the “Wolves” will have to improve, especially away from home, if they want to make a big step towards the last eight.

Juventus – Statistics & current form

It is only since 2017 that the “old lady” has had a women’s football department. As is so often the case with big, recognised clubs in European football, Juventus’ ladies quickly experienced growth and considerable professionalisation. After buying the right to play in Serie A from a former first division club, they immediately won the championship in their first year. In the three seasons that followed, “Le Bianconere” was also the measure of all things at national level.

On the European stage, however, the white and black team, whose squad is largely made up of Italian national players, has yet to celebrate any lasting successes. In their three previous Champions League appearances in 2018/19, 19/20 and 20/21, all of which were played in the knockout rounds, Juventus failed to clear the opening hurdle. Five of the six games were lost. The only draw came against Brøndby IF.

Juve still a virtual blank slate at European level

This makes coach Joe Montemurro and his team all the prouder of their first European Cup win this season. The Italian champions beat Kamenica Sasa, St. Pölten and Vllaznia in the qualifiers. The start into the group phase went as expected. A 3-0 away win against the underdogs in Geneva was followed by a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea, which has already reduced their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.

If the young ladies of the “old lady” want to keep their sights on the knockout round, a home win on Tuesday evening is almost mandatory. Just how complicated the task will be against the internationally experienced Wolfsburg women is underlined by the odds for a home win between Juventus and Wolfsburg, which are very high at 4.50. At least in terms of form, Juventus need a win at home.

At least in terms of form, the Montemurro team has nothing to hide, as they have won all eight games in the domestic league so far. Especially the defence has been convincing with only two goals conceded. On the offensive side, however, the team often lacks punch. In addition, the opponents in Serie A are nowhere near the quality of the German runners-up.

Last games of Juventus:

Serie A Femminile
11/05 2021 – UC Sampdoria 0 – 1 Juventus

10/30 2021 – Inter 1 – 2 Juventus

Women’s Champions League Grp. A
10/13 2021 – Juventus 1 – 2 Chelsea FC Women

Serie A Femminile
10/09 2021 – Juventus 2 – 0 S.S.D. Napoli Femminile

Women’s Champions League Grp. A
10/06 2021 – Servette 0 – 3 Juventus

Wolfsburg – Statistics & current form

Compared to the Italian champions, VfL Wolfsburg’s women’s division naturally has a very different reputation. Six German championships, eight cup victories and already two Champions League titles make the Lower Saxons one of the most successful clubs in Europe. Last season, however, they reached the quarter-finals of the top flight. After a first leg and a second leg, the team was eliminated by Chelsea FC.

In the course of the current group phase, the team of Dutch coach Tommy Stroot could already take half a revenge, because the first preliminary round match with the Londoners ended with a respectable 3:3 draw, which put the Green-Whites in a promising starting position. Especially in view of the fact that on the second matchday Servette Geneva were easily shot out of their own stadium with 5:0.

Wolfsburg build on individual quality and experience

Based on the performances shown and the wealth of international experience that many of the VfL players have been able to gather over the course of their careers, it is our first option to make a prediction on the away treble between Juventus and Wolfsburg.

The fact that a very emotional 3:2 win against strong Frankfurt women on Friday night should also play into the favourites’ cards. After falling behind, the goal was scored in injury time to secure an important home victory. Before this weekend’s top match at FC Bayern Munich, the second-placed team finally wants to make a splash away from home again. In a total of five away games in 2021/22, there has only been one win.

More problematic than the somewhat weaker performances in opposing stadiums, however, is the tight personnel situation. With Pia Wolter, Ewa Pajor and national player Alexandra Popp, three potential key players have suffered serious injuries in the recent past. Nevertheless, especially on the European stage, one had the feeling that the team was getting even closer together in this exceptional situation. The mood is good, the quality is there. There is a lot to be said for a big point in Turin.

Last games of Wolfsburg:

Women’s Bundesliga
11/05 2021 – VfL Wolfsburg 3 – 2 Eintracht Frankfurt

10/17 2021 – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 2 – 1 VfL Wolfsburg

Women’s Champions League Grp. A
10/13 2021 – VfL Wolfsburg 5 – 0 Servette

Women’s Bundesliga
10/10 2021 – VfL Wolfsburg 3 – 0 1. FC Köln

Women’s Champions League Grp. A

10/06 2021 – Chelsea FC Women 3 – 3 VfL Wolfsburg

Juventus – Wolfsburg Direct Comparison / H2H Balance

Because the women’s division of the “old lady”, as mentioned, has only existed since 2017 and the white and black have since regularly failed in the earlier rounds of the Champions League, the paths of both clubs have never crossed. For the Serie A champions, it is even the first duel with a German team. Wolfsburg’s experience in European Cup matches against clubs from Italy is almost entirely positive, with three wins as well as a draw and 13:3 goals.

Juventus – Wolfsburg Tip

On the third matchday of Group A in the Women’s Champions League, it comes to a duel that could theoretically have been drawn in the men’s guild. Juventus will meet Wolfsburg. The betting odds leave no two opinions as to who is the favourite going into the important group match.

We agree with this assessment, after all, a still very young Italian team without any major experience on the international stage will meet an absolute heavyweight in European women’s football. Qualitatively, too, the advantages are likely to be on the side of the Stroot eleven, who already managed a 3:3 draw at Chelsea FC and are challenged far more week after week in the German Bundesliga than the Italian champions in Serie A.

We have therefore decided to place a tip on an away win for the Green-Whites between Juventus and Wolfsburg.