.png)
14 hours ago
4
Manchester United succumbed to the first defeat of their inaugural Champions League campaign 5-2 against Wolfsburg thanks to braces from both Ella Peddemors and Lineth Beerensteyn and a late finish from Vivien Endemann.
The temperature in Wolfsburg may have been close to freezing but the players on the pitch did their bit to warm up the 3,817 spectators in the Volkswagen Arena. Five first-half goals raised the temperature of those present as momentum swung between the two.
United had taken a sucker-punch from Manchester City last Saturday but their Champions League endeavours have been impressive. There are, however, not many teams with as much European pedigree as Wolfsburg. The German side have maybe not been as prolific in recent seasons but there is no doubting the quality of the two-time champions. Stephan Lerch’s side moved one place above United into third with this thrilling victory.
Much has been made of the lack of depth of this United squad. The biggest question in the buildup was whether they could shake off fatigue to find a high level of performance and it came back to haunt them once again as they ran out of steam in the second half.
Marc Skinner did freshen things up with Melvine Malard, Fridolina Rolfö and Simi Awujo all returning. There was a slight surprise that Jess Park found herself on the bench but the 24-year-old has accumulated a lot of minutes recently. Goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel remained in place of Phallon Tullis-Joyce who has a fractured eye socket.
United started the brightest and in the 14th minute, Malard broke down the left and lifted her head before producing a sublime cross that fell perfectly on to Rolfö’s head. The Swede nodded home against her former club for her third goal in as many WCL appearances.
A goalkeeping error, however, let the hosts back in immediately. This was only Middleton-Patel’s fourth senior appearance but it will be one that she will want to forget. The 21-year-old attempted to clear her lines but passed it straight to Peddemors to fire home.
The game stabilised before sparking back into life as the first half drew to a close. There were three goals in the space of 10 minutes. Peddemors got her second, driving in a low shot from distance, before Beerensteyn rifled a sublime effort into the top corner.
Just as United looked done and dusted, they pulled a goal back. Malard read the Wolfsburg defensive line perfectly to hook in a finish with the last kick of the half.
after newsletter promotion
Wolfsburg put their foot on the gas after the break as United struggled to make an impact. They found the cushion they sought as the electric Beerensteyn sent home her second before Endemann added a fifth in injury time.
It was a result that epitomised just how tight this stage is. It was undoubtedly a disappointing night for Skinner’s team but they will know they still have so much to play for when the competition resumes next month.
