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The national coach is holding back with clear forecasts before the big showdown in the most exciting championship race for years.

"I see both teams in the top game at eye level, and the chances are 50:50 from my point of view," said Martina Voss-Tecklenburg of the German press agency before the duel between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Munich.

At the beginning of April Bayern still looked like the sure title holder, the at least temporary changing of the guard from permanent champion Wolfsburg seemed imminent.

But then VfL threw FCB out of the DFB Cup in the semi-finals and the Munich team surprisingly failed in the league against Hoffenheim.

If Wolfsburg wins on Sunday (1 p.m. / NDR, BR, MagentaSport), the Lower Saxons would be one point ahead of their southern German competition with two games left and the fifth championship in a row would suddenly be within reach.

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"That was the mistake that we had been waiting for the entire season," said Wolfsburg national player Lena Oberdorf with a view to the 2: 3 of the front runners against Hoffenheim. In an interview with “Wolfsburger Nachrichten”, the 19-year-old added: “With the double burden, this kink had to come at some point, and that's how it turned out. But now we have to do our homework and take advantage of this mistake. ”In all probability, only one victory will help the Wolfsburg women.

In the league, the two teams are far ahead of the competition - not the only thing they have in common this season.

In the Champions League, both the Wolfsburg women (in the quarter-finals) and the Bavarians (in the semifinals) were eliminated by Chelsea.

So Germany has to wait for the first premier class title in women since the triumph of 1. FFC Frankfurt in 2015.

The fear of being left behind internationally

And in the coming years it won't be easier for VfL and FCB internationally.

The Champions League finalists Chelsea and FC Barcelona are just two examples of the up-and-coming top clubs from England, where the footballers are benefiting from a multi-million dollar TV contract, and Spain.

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Wolfsburg and FC Bayern are not yet threatening to miss the boat. But the Munich captain Lina Magull recently called for more professional structures in women's football. “The DFB and the clubs are aware that we have to develop a little faster there. Compared to the other nations, we were up there a few years ago, but now we're a bit behind, ”said the 26-year-old national player. "We really have to be careful that it doesn't develop in the wrong direction."

Wolfsburg's sporting director distinguishes two aspects when looking at England. “In terms of sport, we are absolutely at eye level,” said Ralf Kellermann. “The fact that players play at Chelsea that we cannot and do not want to pay in Germany and Wolfsburg is another. Where the English Super League clearly left us behind is in marketing. "

In order to be among the best teams in Europe in the long term, regular participation in the reformed Champions League is mandatory. Against this background, the close championship race and thus also the game on Sunday is of enormous importance. "The title is worth more this year because it gives you planning security and you are right in the group stage of the Champions League," said Kellermann. The second in the table, on the other hand, has to qualify and can meet an absolute top team there.