UWCL: Janou Levels says ‘it’s up to’ Wolfsburg to prove themselves against OL Lyonnes | OneFootball

VfL Wolfsburg defender Janou Levels is ready for the challenge of facing OL Lyonnes once again when they take on the eight-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winners in the quarter-finals this evening.

The seven-time German champions will host the most successful side in the history of the UWCL. OL Lyonnes, who won five consecutive European titles between 2016 and 2020, will travel to the Volkswagen Arena in the first leg of the quarter-finals.

Since joining Wolfsburg ahead of the 2025/26 season, Levels has become a constant in their backline. The 25-year-old Dutch international has also proved efficient in attack, with eight assists across all competitions – the most of her career.

Having played on the European stage with PSV, Levels admits the approach to UWCL games is vastly different now she is no longer an ‘underdog’.

“With PSV, that was our first experience [in the UWCL], we were definitely the underdogs and tried to defend a lot,” she said ahead of tonight’s match. “Now playing for Wolfsburg, we have a lot of quality and we are a very good team, so it’s up for us to show ourselves, be confident with the ball, so it’s a very different approach.”

Janou Levels not ‘bored’ ahead of facing Lyon

Having met in the league phase, the sides will face each other three times during the campaign. However, Levels insists playing a side of the calibre of OL Lyonnes is not ‘boring’.

“I think it’s a great opponent to play against and we are looking forward to these matches against them.”

When the sides met last, Wolfsburg lost 3-1 as the German side were unable to contain Ada Hegerberg, who added two to her UWCL tally. Levels featured for almost 80 minutes in the match and admits she is ready for the challenge of players such as Kadidiatou Diani running at her.

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“They have many great players and a lot of changes in position, so I think there’s not going to be one opponent to face. There’s going to be a lot of opponents coming close to me. So it’s going to be interesting.”

Coming up against a free-scoring side such as Lyon is never easy, but facing them in the UWCL is a whole other challenge. Having won the tournament eight times, the French giants simply know how to win and limit their opponents’ opportunities.

Following their previous encounter, Levels believes communication could make the difference.

“It’s going to be really important for us. There’s a lot of changes in positions, players coming inside, dropping, going deep — so it’s all about communication and working together. But also being aggressive and defending forward.”

Building on their previous encounter

Despite their 3-1 loss to OL Lyonnes, Wolfsburg were still able to reach the quarter-finals through the play-off route. They overcame Italian champions Juventus 4-2 on aggregate, to set up a reunion with the French side.

Having come from 2-0 down in the first leg to Juventus, Levels believes the side need to be more confident in their ability on the ball and must play their own game to achieve a result after their disappointing defeat in November.

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“If we see the first match [against Lyon] it was not our best, and I think we got a little stressed when we were with the ball. Although that’s a big strength for us.

“We want to be more comfortable with the ball, more confident so we can also play our game because we can’t forget we also have a lot of quality. So that’s definitely something we want to show more, if we compare it to the last match against them.”

Time at Wolfsburg so far

Having joined Wolfsburg nine months ago from fellow German side Bayer Leverkusen, the defender is enjoying playing European football once again against the ‘best opponents in Europe’.

Levels acknowledged the quality of play in the Frauen Bundesliga, but admits it’s the higher levels of play in the UWCL which pushes players to their limit.

“I would say the speed of playing is higher. The physical part is different than in the league, and although in Germany the league is good, the level is even higher in the Champions League, and it’s great to be playing these kinds of matches.”

Representing the Dutch national team

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Since making her international debut against Japan in 2021, the 25-year-old has been in and out of the international set-up. However, she was included in the most recent Netherlands team for their World Cup qualifiers against Poland and the Republic of Ireland.

In the upcoming April international break, the Dutch will face France both at home and away. When asked whether coming up against so many French players in this UWCL quarter-final will help her prepare for those qualifiers, Levels hinted at a headstart.

“I think it’s difficult because with the national team it’s completely different. But, I think personally, I can have another look on the players, how they play, how they move. So for me personally, I can take something with me.”

For viewers at home, you can watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, live on Disney+ as part of existing customer subscriptions.

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