Once again, the next step should be successful.
More presence in the media, arousing more interest, more chances for a better public image: when German women's football kicks off the Bundesliga season 2021/22 this weekend, fresh hope comes into play.
It is justified by the games that are hopefully worth seeing - especially by the title contenders Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg.
And it is based on the novelty that a new television contract should ensure a higher presence of women's football in various channels.
"We will then have the opportunity to become even more professional and to market ourselves better," says Tommy Stroot, the new head coach of VfL Wolfsburg.
Struggle for visibility
Despite the many titles and successes of the national team: German women's football continues to fight for more visibility.
Someone like Stroot, born in Nordhorn, 32 years old and sought-after as a coach, would also play a good role at other top European clubs.
But the job at VfL Wolfsburg as the successor to Stephan Lerch attracts him.
A new coach face at a leading club is good for the Bundesliga, which consists of just twelve clubs.
Stroot moved to Wolfsburg with the recommendation from FC Twente Enschede (Netherlands) to be a smart and meticulous thought leader.
League rivals Bayern Munich
On this Saturday, the home game against Turbine Potsdam will show how his preferred ball possession football works.
That will also interest the league rivals Bayern Munich, who will start on Sunday with a home game against Werder Bremen.
With the Japanese Saki Kumagai (Olympique Lyon) and the Swede Sofia Jakobsson (Real Madrid), the champions have secured two high-class newcomers.
How exciting the race for the championship will be will also be decided by Stroot's necessary skill and instinct.
With a completely new team of coaches and a fundamentally changed team, there is a radical change in Wolfsburg that can either slow down or give an equal boost.
No specific season goal
Stroot prefers not to have anything to do with a specific season goal.
He speaks of values that are important to him.
And of tasks and ambitions.
Basically, the most important thing can only be to give the league an aha-effect, which, despite Corona, brings with it increasing audience numbers and nationwide attention.
Perhaps it would be fair not to look quite so critically at the better clubs in the Bundesliga on the first match days. In Wolfsburg, for example, six players were on the ball for their home countries at the Olympic Games and must therefore be integrated within a very short time. Shortly after the start of the league, VfL will be challenged in its first qualifying game for the Champions League against Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday. That is a lot in a very short time.