Match report: Wolfsburg 5 United Women 2

The Reds have already beaten Valerenga, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain this term but were undone at the fourth attempt, despite Fridolina Rolfo putting us ahead against her former club.

Rolfo's 14th-minute opener at the Volkswagen Arena was quickly cancelled out by an equaliser from Ella Peddemors, who also gave the home side their first lead of the night when she made it 2-1 after the half-hour mark.

Lineth Beerensteyn extended the German outfit's advantage before half-time, only for Melvine Malard to get United back within a goal, in first-half stoppage time.

That setup an enticing second half, but the latter 45's two goals, a second of the evening for Beerensteyn and a late sealer from Vivien Endemann, would only make it a more comfortable win for the hosts.

The result saw United miss the chance to secure qualification for at least the knockout play-offs on the trip to Germany, but remain in the table's top four ahead of the later kick-offs and Thursday's games elsewhere. The Reds still have two matches to play at this stage, at home to Lyon and away to Juventus, after the imminent break for a block of international fixtures.

FIRST HALF

There were three changes to the side that started Saturday's WSL derby defeat to Manchester City, with a fresh front three for our return to European action. From right to left, Simi Awujo, Malard and Rolfo all came in, replacing Jess Park, Elisabeth Terland and Leah Galton, who were named as subs.

Both teams grew into the contest steadily, but it was Wolfsburg who injected the first dose of real attacking threat, shortly after a stoppage that meant Jayde Riviere could be treated following a painful-looking collision with Svenja Huth. The hosts, energised after the break in play, saw Ella Peddemors register the game’s first saved attempt before Huth sliced a half-volley onto Safia Middleton-Patel’s crossbar, that would have been ruled out for offside anyway.

Perhaps a wake-up call, United sprung into action and began to show the cohesion on the ball that had helped us win our previous three league-phase fixtures. Fluidity in positions saw central striker Malard drift out to the left, glide past a defender and cross for Rolfo, who had switched areas of the pitch with the former to scoring effect, heading the delightful cross past goalkeeper Stina Johannes at close range.

The Reds celebrated the 14th-minute opener in front of the section of our travelling supporters, but were soon to be given a reminder of the ruthless quality that is to be expected of Champions League opposition. A Middleton-Patel clearance initially looked to relieve some pressure, but fell only as far as Peddemors, who showed impressive technique to stop the ball and curl it into the net from 20 yards out, restoring parity just three minutes after we’d taken the lead.

Riviere suffering a facial injury in the build-up to the goal meant United had protests for referee Miriama Bockova – but after a VAR check and confirmation of the leveller relayed to both captains – play continued with the teams back on terms.

Skinner’s side were able to repel the hosts’ initial advances at 1-1, but Peddemors kept her eye in on goal and got her second of the night, the first of three strikes in a crazy final 10 minutes or so of the half. Her attempt, after coming inside from the right flank, may have been a cross, but had enough power and swerve on it to make its way into Middleton-Patel’s bottom-right corner without an extra touch from those positioned in the penalty area.

If there was any doubt around Peddemors’s attempt being a shot, there could be none about Beerensteyn’s effort that made it 3-1 shortly after. Zigiotti did well to turn a pursuing Wolfsburg player, but her follow-up pass was pounced on by the joint-top scorer in this season’s Frauen-Bundesliga, who drove into space before arrowing a 25-yarder into the back of the net.

That made it 3-1 as the clock struck 45 minutes, but the first-half scoring wasn’t done there. United showed resilience and a clinical touch to hit back, with Malard rightly placed to capitalise on Janina Minge’s header back to her goalkeeper, which was short in distance and subsequently lobbed over the shot-stopper who did get a touch.

SECOND HALF

United’s response meant it was well and truly game on again, something Beerensteyn did her best to try and counter early in the second 45. A hooked connection with Huth’s cross from the right-side byline flew across Middleton-Patel’s post and just wide.

At the other end, Ella Toone was driving forward the Reds’ attempts to score the encounter’s sixth goal. Our no.7 does have previous with hitting the target from way-out distances, but just about skied her try before the hour mark, which goalkeeper Johannes watched closely.

For Wolfsburg, Beerensteyn continued to provide a threat and a brilliant save from Middleton-Patel was needed to stop the forward scoring again. She was first to a free-kick from the left, flicking a header on that needed our no.39’s outstretched fingertips to keep it off target.

The dangerous forward wasn’t to be denied a brace, however, and extended Wolfsburg’s advantage with 25 minutes left to play. Sarai Linder’s initial punt forward was hopeful, but Beerensteyn brought it under control while getting round Dominique Janssen, powered into the 18-yard box and rolled the ball beyond Maya Le Tissier’s attempted block and Middleton-Patel’s outstretched right leg.

It was a sucker-punch for Skinner’s side, particularly just moments after a double change that saw Galton and Park introduced from the bench – two introductions that may have been able to provide the necessary spark needed to get the equalising goal.

But, still, the travelling Red Army's encouraging shouts remained audible from the stands as the Reds searched for a route back into the up-and-down battle. A searching Zigiotti free-kick into a crowded box was headed down by another sub in Gabby George, but eventually cleared after causing a brief moment of unrest in the Wolfsburg ranks.

George had been introduced in place of Anna Sandberg at left-back, but continued to add value in attack from set-pieces. Another Zigiotti delivery found our defender up from the back, this time unmarked but unable to get her feet positioned right to turn the ball home.

Instead, the game's seventh goal would be Wolfsburg's fifth. Riviere attempted to restart a move forward by going back to Middleton-Patel, but had her idea thwarted by Endemann who, off the bench, rounded the Wales international to complete the scoring in the sixth minute of added time.

MATCH DETAILS

Wolfsburg: Johannes; Linder (Wedemeyer 89), Dijkstra, Kuver, Levels; Huth (Endemann 89), Peddemors (Kielland 89), Minge, Bussy (Zicai 72); Beerensteyn, Popp (c) (Lattwein 59).

Unused substitutes: Smolarczyk, Tufekovic, Kleinherne, Bergsvand, Judit Pujols.

Booked: Linder, Peddemors.

Goals: Peddemors 17, 37, Beerensteyn 45, 65, Endemann 90+6.

United: Middleton-Patel; Riviere, Le Tissier (c), Janssen, Sandberg (George 75); Zigiotti, Miyazawa (Naalsund 83); Awujo (Williams 74), Toone (Park 64), Rolfo (Galton 64); Malard.

Unused substitutes: Rendell, Blundell, Terland.

Booked: Sandberg.

Goals: Rolfo 14, Malard 45+2.

Attendance: 3,817.