UEFA Women’s Champions League: Wolfsburg book quarter-final spot with win over Juventus | OneFootball

VfL Wolfsburg joined Bayern Munich in the last eight of the UEFA Women’s Champions League after a 2-0 win over Juventus away from home. Vivien Endemann and Cora Zicai scored the goals in the second-leg, while Stina Johannes was decisive in Wolfsburg’s goal.

Wolfsburg had a poor start in last week’s 2-2 draw, and Juventus repeated that performance early on in front of their fans at the magnificent Juventus Stadium. Johannes made her first save as early as the third minute to deny the captain Barbara Bonansea.

The hosts continued to dominate the early exchanges before Wolfsburg scored with their first notable attacking play in the 18th minute. Endemann, who initiated the attack with an incisive pass to Ella Peddemors, scored with a clinical finish after a brilliant through pass by Svenja Huth.

The goal changed the momentum of the tie as Wolfsburg started playing with more confidence, but Johannes had to make another brilliant stop to keep out Cecilia Salvai’s powerful hit from a difficult angle. Lineth Beerensteyn, who was lively as always, hit the sidenetting with Wolfsburg’s best chance of the half after the goal.

Juventus also had the first big chance after the break when Ana Capeta hit the crossbar with an acrobatic effort. At the other end, Dutch international Beerensteyn nearly pulled off a Dennis Bergkamp turn before another shot on target with a solo effort.

Substitutes Cristiana Girelli and Amalie Vangsgaard were immediately combined for the next chance by Juventus, but Johannes denied the latter with a brilliant save. In total contrast to the game in Wolfsburg, the Italian champions were all over Wolfsburg in search of an equalizing goal after the hour mark.

Girelli also came close with a header that narrowly missed the target before fellow substitute Paulina Krumbiegel was thwarted by the player of the match, Johannes. Her final save from the legendary Girelli was one of the easiest she made in a busy night for the 26-year-old shot-stopper.

There was still time for Wolfsburg to put the cherry on the cake as Zicai scored with a magnificent finish after linking up with fellow substitute Kessya Bussy.

Wolfsburg will face OL Lyonnes in the quarter-finals with the second-leg set to be played in the first week of April in Lyon. Stephan Lerch’s side lost 3-1 to the European giants when the two teams met in the league phase stage. Wolfsburg will play against Bayern on Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash in the Frauen-Bundesliga.