How does the DFB-Team compensate for the Oberdorf shock
Lena Oberdorf must watch the Olympics and give a thumbs-up as her heavy knee injury comes at an inopportune time for the DFB-Team. The woman, who is also supposed to compensate for her departure from VfL Wolfsburg, is now back in Bundestrainer Horst Hrubesch's squad.
Janina Minge from VfL Wolfsburg replaces the heavily knee-injured Lena Oberdorf in the DFB-women's squad for the Olympics in Paris. The German Football Association (DFB) announced this a day before the team's departure to Marseille. Oberdorf suffered a cruciate and meniscus injury in her right knee during the last test against Austria. The 22-year-old had just transferred from VfL Wolfsburg to league rival and champion FC Bayern and will be out for months.
Minge moves from the list of reserve athletes to the 18-man squad of Bundestrainer Horst Hrubesch. The 25-year-old had formed the midfield pivot of the German team alongside Oberdorf in the EM-qualifier against Austria (4:0). She had switched to VfL Wolfsburg this summer and was supposed to compensate for Oberdorf's departure there as well. "We will certainly gather all our forces for the Olympics," Hrubesch had said: "We want and will play for a medal with Obi."
Is there a push forward in offense?
It's clear: Oberdorf's absence is a heavy blow to the Olympic dreams of the DFB-women. "We can react, I'll give you that, but I'm very satisfied with it," Hrubesch said: "Her will and her two-footed strength can hardly be compensated for." As an option in defensive midfield, Hrubesch named captain Alexandra Popp and defensive midfielder Marina Hegering, who could both push forward. The problem? Both have been training intermittently.
However, Hrubesch gave a warning: the duo could have played against Austria. But: Against the Olympic group opponents Australia, USA, and Sambia, "three teams of the first category" (Hrubesch), the DFB team needs the two in top physical condition. "We are pursuing this goal further," he said, after Popp had to withdraw from the trip to Iceland (0:3) due to a foot inflammation a few days earlier. Sjoeke Nüsken came on in place of Oberdorf in the match against Austria. She plays for FC Chelsea much more offensively, but had previously performed defensive duties in Frankfurt's inner defense and defensive midfield.
Will Sydney Lohmann make it in time?
To the circle of four reserve athletes belongs now Pia-Sophie Wolter from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 26-year-old could still be nominated like goalkeeper Stina Johannes, striker Nicola Anyomi or defender Felicitas Rauch. They could also be called up during the tournament if another player falls out. It is possible to exchange players during the tournament - even temporarily.
The Olympic team is still worried about the participation of offensive midfielder Sydney Lohmann. The midfielder had to leave shortly after the start of the preparation. The 24-year-old had sustained a muscle injury and missed the two EM-qualifiers on Iceland (0:3) and against Austria (4:0). She will "complete her rehabilitation program in the club to be able to travel to the Olympics in France with optimal healing progress," the DFB had reported. Hrubesch had ruled out a nomination for Lohmann - Wolter was the most likely replacement.
On Sunday, the DFB-selection flies from Frankfurt to Marseille, where on July 25 (19:00), a day before the opening ceremony in Paris, the first group game against the WM-Fourth Australia takes place. On July 28 (21:00), it also goes on in Marseille against Olympic record holder USA. The group stage ends on July 31 (19:00/all in ntv.de-Live ticker) in Saint-Etienne.
- Despite her injury, Lena Oberdorf expressed her support for the DFB-Women's team during the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, as she watched from the sidelines.
- Horst Hrubesch, the national team coach, acknowledged the absence of Lena Oberdorf in women's soccer as a significant setback, stating that Her two-footed strength and determination would be difficult to replace.
- With Lena Oberdorf out due to her knee injury, Alexandra Popp and Marina Hrubesch were identified as potential options in defense to push forward in offense, although their fitness levels needed to be monitored closely before the Olympics.
