Preview: Wolfsburg Women vs. Juventus Women - prediction, team news, lineups
Just a point separates Wolfsburg Women and Juventus Women in group A ahead of their all-important clash in the Women's Champions League on Thursday.
The two sides will meet again, just a week after their enthralling contest in Turin, which finished all square.
Match preview
Wolfsburg sit in second place in group A, but they would have been disappointed not to have won last week in Turin.
After Cristiana Girelli had put Juventus in front, Wolfsburg turned the game on its head thanks to goals from Lena Lattwein and Tabea Wassmuth, but the German side's fortunes changed, when Felicitas Rauch was sent off moments before Girelli struck again in stoppage time to ensure the spoils were shared.
Although, Wolfsburg did not suffer any repercussions from that late equaliser, as they clinched a vital victory at the weekend, when they faced championship rivals Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga.
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Kathrin Hendrich's headed goal proved enough to seal all three points, which took Wolfsburg to the top of the table.
That victory combined with their impressive home record - with Wolfsburg winning all six competitive home games this term - will give Tommy Stroot's side confidence ahead of Thursday encounter.
Juventus snatched an important point last week at home to Wolfsburg, but they will be aiming for three points on Thursday, as they look to leapfrog the German side in group A.
They followed that victory with a dominant performance against Lazio at the weekend, running out 5-0 winners.
Agnese Bonfantini and Lina Hurtig gave Juventus a 2-0 lead at half time, and after the break, Lisa Boattin and Amanda Nilden netted either side of Bofantini's second goal to wrap up an impressive display.
Joe Montemurro's side have been destructive away from home, sweeping past all challengers, with Juventus winning all seven away games this season.
In those seven away fixtures, Juventus netted on 17 occasions, while only conceding three times, demonstrating the threat they pose away from home.
Wolfsburg Women Women's Champions League form:
WWDWD
Wolfsburg Women form (all competitions):
WLWWDW
Juventus Women Women's Champions League form:
WWWWLD
Juventus Women form (all competitions):
WLWWDW
Team News
Joe Montemurro rested a number of players against Lazio, so there will be numerous changes on Thursday, with Matilde Lundorf, Sara Gama and Boattin are all expected to come into the back four.
First choice goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin will also come back into the side, as well as Girelli, who will be looking to replicate last week's outstanding performance.
Despite scoring a brace against Lazio, Bonfantini may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Wolfsburg are likely to be without Lynn Wilms and Alex Popp, who are both expected to miss the game due to injury.
Rauch will miss the game through suspension, which could mean a place in the starting lineup for Sofie Svava.
Wassmuth will lead the line for Wolfsburg, and she will be looking to continue her impressive goalscoring form in the Champions League, having scored five goals across the three group games.
Wolfsburg Women possible starting lineup:
Schult; Hendrich, Wedemeyer, Janssen, Svava; Oberdorf, Lattwein, Roord; Knaak, Huth, Wassmuth
Juventus Women possible starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Lundorf, Gama, Salvai, Boattin; Rosucci, Junge-Pedersen, Caruso; Bonansea, Cernoia
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Source: Sportsmole.
