Discover how Giugliano’s exceptional leadership propelled Roma to a 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg, showcasing skill and determination on the field.
Introduction:
Roma Femminile launched its 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League season with a stingy, earned 1-0 away win over two-time champion Wolfsburg. A lone penalty belonged to new captain Manuela Giugliano’s sublime strike from the spot for a slim advantage on the day.
For much of the 90 minutes, Wolfsburg continued to try to wear down Roma with their constant waves of attack, but solidity for the visitors’ back four and immense goalkeeping by Stella Leoni were enough to ensure the three points returned home.
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Giugliano Leads by Example
Pinned on to armband this season, Manuela Giugliano waited no minute before stepping onto the pitch and asserting her team leadership. She scored a crucially important goal for her team just like she had done it against Bayern Munich in Matchday 1 of last season. At this stage, during first half of the match, Giugliano rose up to take crucial penalty and placed it with confidence to the corner side of the net, out of reach from Wolfsburg’s goalkeeper’s way. Her composure on the tight rope was reflective of the reason why she was awarded the captain’s armband, and she has already turned out to be a massive player for Roma this season.
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Wolfsburg Has Exceptional Possession
Wolfsburg was one of the favorites coming into this tournament. This German side dominated possession from the word go as their talismanic forward, Alexandra Popp was making dangerous runs in behind Roma’s defense each minute of the game. Popp was a constant threat for Wolfsburg, but the backline of Roma, with their tenacity, managed to fend off most of her attacks. Technical quality at full extent of Wolfsburg, well utilizing the passes which they could have made, and tried to impose their rhythm upon this game.
Despite holding much of the possession, Wolfsburg struggled to unlock the disciplined defense of Roma. With plenty of the match played under pressure, the Italians did well in maintaining their shape to frustrate every effort by Die Wölfinnen to draw level. A sometimes aggressive and energetic midfield from Wolfsburg could not make the final pass or score at the right moment.
Defiant Roma Defense Repels Wolfsburg Attacks
It quickly became apparent what Roma’s plan of attack was: defend, defend, and defend some more. Under siege by Wolfsburg’s constant barrage of attack for much of the second half, Roma’s defense was laboring to scramble and pray, but Camelia Ceasar, the goalkeeper, happened to prove one of the heroes of the game, pulling off a series of vital saves on Wolfsburg. Ceasar’s fast reaction and supremacy of the space made sure that her team was still in the race, though Wolfsburg was very aggressive and kept on attacking.
There were several instances wherein Wolfsburg almost leveled. For instance, its defender Marina Hegering created an excellent opportunity but could only barely miss the net. It was at the opposite end, where Emilie Haavi almost doubled up for Roma when she tried a close effort, only for the defense of Wolfsburg to rebound rapidly enough. The game had reached its final stages, and the contest was taken to a more steely level whereby the two teams were now trading chances for a change in the score. The Roma defense would not let it happen this time.
Tactical Discipline Pays Off for Roma
Tactical discipline and just plain resilience defined the victory for Roma as they edged Wolfsburg 2-1 in a match where the Italian side had less possession. The side went about their game plan letter-perfect, as proven by their staying power. Indeed, Giugliano’s penalty kick gave the lead to the side, but it was ultimately the defensive structure that won the game for them. As time ran out, Wolfsburg became desperate and found no solution to breaking through the Roma’s defenses.
At the end of it, when the possession changed nothing with tangible action, the score line remained 1-0 in favor of the Italian side. This marks a cause for determination that tactical discipline and winning the key moments in the game were what Roma showed plentifully.
Fine Opening to the Season with a Win of 1-0 against Wolfsburg
This is a landmark victory for Roma Femminile, as the team beats one of the toughest teams there. With a victory over a powerhouse like Wolfsburg to start their Women’s Champions League campaign, Roma will enjoy huge confidence going ahead and further pushing into the games.
Wolfsburg will probably be left to wonder what might have been as it failed to score in the most possession of the match, still in need of increasing its scoring rate to really have a fighting chance at title contention.
As the game unfolds, Roma would be proud to have fought hard for that victory and to be bolstered by the boost gotten from this first match. With Giugliano in charge, the ambitions of Roma look bright for a good campaign in the Champions League.