Tommy Stroot, the head coach of VfL Women, provided an update on the team news and the state of play ahead of the DFB Cup semi-final. The team is aiming to reach the final for the 10th consecutive year by defeating SGS Essen at the AOK Stadion on Saturday, March 30. Stroot mentioned that Lena Lattwein, Marina Hegering, Alex Popp, Tabea Sellner, and Rebecka Blomqvist are all sidelined due to injuries.
Analyzing the opponents, Stroot described Essen as a young and hungry team that possesses energy and quality. Despite their decent form, he acknowledged the challenge of playing against them. Stroot highlighted Essen’s strengths in possession and work ethic without the ball. He emphasized the importance of blocking and breaking Essen’s style of play to secure victory in a cup game.
When asked about the pressure following the defeat against Bayern Munich, Stroot stated that the team’s expectations remain the same. He emphasized that VfL Women are considered favorites and are capable of meeting that role. Stroot emphasized the need to learn from the Bayern game, particularly in terms of converting opportunities and showing the mentality required in critical moments. The team has focused on improving their finishing and ensuring consistency in execution. Stroot expressed confidence in the team’s ability to create scoring chances and maintain possession effectively.
