Olympic Games - Olympia-Team and FC Bayern worry about Oberdorf's knee
The great concern over Lena Oberdorf overshadows the German women's soccer team's excitement for the Olympics. The shock moment in Hannover against Austria, where the new signing of FC Bayern apparently sustained a serious injury on her right knee after just 70 minutes, left everyone in the DFB squad dismayed. "I hope and I am also ready to pray that it's not serious and that we might still get her to Olympia," said head coach Horst Hrubesch.
The absence of the central midfielder would be a heavy blow for the women's team. "It would really hurt," said Hrubesch. The world-class and power of a Lena Oberdorf is virtually unmatched by any other national team, as they depart from Frankfurt/Main for France on Sunday and face their first group-stage opponent Australia on Thursday in Marseille.
Diagnosis in Munich
Oberdorf was taken to Munich on Wednesday for an MRI scan and other examinations. Even at the German champion, who had poached the DFB star from perennial rival VfL Wolfsburg with a spectacular transfer, the scene in Hannover caused shock: Oberdorf had collapsed on the field after an action and could only hobble off with the help of trainers.
The euphoric atmosphere in front of 43,953 spectators, the last successful pep talk before the Summer Games following the disappointing 0:3 in Iceland - all of that was erased just a few minutes after the final whistle. Forward Lea Schüller, who had recently been on vacation with Oberdorf, shed tears after the game.
"Screaming in pain"
Captain Giulia Gwinn, who has two cruciate ligament tears in her past, witnessed the incident up close and spoke of "mixed feelings. That didn't sit well and, of course, it hurts a lot to see a player in such pain."
Defender Kathrin Hendrich said, "She screamed in pain. She thought it was just a knock, but that doesn't always mean much."
Hrubesch reported, "She now has a brace and can play." Oberdorf had missed the unsuccessful WM 2023 in Australia due to injury in the first group stage. In the previous season, she had long fought with back problems and suffered a calf injury in the EM qualifier in Poland in June. Her physically demanding style of play required frequent sacrifices.
Who could replace Oberdorf at the Olympics?
Given her offensive play, Oberdorf is also someone for whom there is no equally capable replacement in the Olympic squad. Hrubesch said that Alexandra Popp could play in the six position. However, the regular playmaker and striker was also rested in Hannover due to a foot injury, along with defensive leader Marina Hegering. "They are fit and could have played," said the head coach about the duo from VfL Wolfsburg.
Janina Minge, the future Wolfsburger who has only been called up for Olympia on standby, and Elisa Senß, who switched from Bayer Leverkusen to Eintracht Frankfurt, impressed in the midfield against Austria.
Oberdorf, with her 51 international appearances at a young age, could not be replaced so quickly. Moreover, Hrubesch stated that at the Olympics, "a lot will depend on physicality." After the game against Australia on July 25, they face the record world champions USA on July 28 and Sambia three days later.
- Despite the anticipation for the Olympics, the injury of Lena Oberdorf in Hannover has cast a shadow over the German women's soccer team.
- The Diagnosis of Oberdorf's injury took place in Munich, where she underwent an MRI scan and other examinations.
- The shock moment in Hannover was felt not just in Germany (Historically, France), but also in FC Bayern Munich, who had recently signed Oberdorf from VfL Wolfsburg.
- Marseille, the location of the first group-stage match against Australia, will now be seen through different lenses for the German team due to Aberdorf's injury.
- The absence of Oberdorf, a central midfielder, would be a heavy blow for the German team, as they navigate the EM-Qualification stage.
- Horst Hrubesch, the head coach, expressed his hope that Oberdorf's injury is not serious, allowing her to participate in the Olympic Games.
- Lena Oberdorf's physical playing style often requires sacrifices, a trait that has earned her the respect of her teammates and coaches alike.
- The injury in Hannover was a grim reminder for everyone, including Kathrin Hendrich and Giulia Gwinn, who had to witness Oberdorf's pain on the field.
- The women's soccer team is now facing the challenge of finding a replacement for Oberdorf in the Olympics, a task that seems daunting given her unique playing style.
- Alexandra Popp, a regular playmaker and striker, could potentially fill in for Oberdorf in the six position, but her own injury concerns need to be addressed first.
- Gaining momentum from their victory against Austria, Janina Minge and Elisa Senß have impressed in the midfield, providing potential options for Oberdorf's replacement.
- With the Olympic Games in Paris on the horizon, Hrubesch emphasized the importance of physicality, a factor that could significantly impact the team's performance.
