Women’s Champions League: VfL Wolfsburg loses final

The footballers of VfL Wolfsburg missed the big coup. In the final of the Champions League, the German runners-up lost 2-3 (2-0) to FC Barcelona despite a 2-0 lead at the break. After Wolfsburg goals from Ewa Pajor (3rd minute) and Alexandra Popp (37th), the Spanish champions turned the game around in Eindhoven. Patricia Guijarro (48th/50th) and the former Wolfsburg player Fridolina Rolfö (70th) shot their team to the second premier class title after 2021. VfL missed their third triumph after 2013 and 2014.

At first everything went according to plan for the green-whites. Barely three minutes had passed when Ewa Pajor stole the ball from Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze. A dream goal, even if FCB goalkeeper Sandra Paños almost deflected the shot around her box.

VfL Wolfsburg in the cheering circle

After Pajor’s ninth goal in the current competition, all ten field players of VfL formed a cheering circle. Almost as if they wanted to commit themselves to the following Blaugrana attacks. They followed promptly, because the attacking spirit of the Spanish champions had only partially clouded the goal. Coach Jonatan Giráldez’s team had advantages in terms of play, combining well and quickly going forward. Only in front of the Wolfsburg goal guarded by Merle Frohms something was missing, sometimes greed, the last determination or just luck. The favored Catalans initially missed even the best opportunities. After a corner, the completely free-standing Irene Paredes headed wide of the goal from three meters instead of into the goal.

The VfL players initially survived a few more explosive situations, with coach Tommy Stroot’s match plan working out well overall. The ex-Wolfsburg player Caroline Hansen in particular had the green-whites well under control, so Barça’s normally strong right offensive side remained wingless. Defensively stable, offensively waiting for a counterattack – Stroot’s tactics paid off in the first half.

German efficiency against FC Barcelona

Before the game, leader Popp had said that they wanted to counter it with a “German style”. She showed exactly what that meant in the 37th minute: Pajor’s sharp cross headed the captain into the net – second chance, second goal. With German efficiency against the Spanish magic, that also impressed the audience. “VfL rules here,” chanted the fans of the German runners-up, who were now on top. Defiant “Barça, Barça” calls followed from Barcelona’s supporters.

Barcelona also pulled themselves together down the pitch, with Frohms making a strong save from close range against Salma Paralluelo with the half-time whistle. Shortly thereafter, the VfL fans gave their team a hearty applause, with a 2-0 win at the break, very few had expected.

Two goals conceded within minutes

Rather with what followed after the break: a fine little dance by Hansen, who fooled three VfL players and pushed the ball precisely into Guijarro’s foot. The rest was a formality, 1:2. And before the wolves could get really angry, it was already 2:2. This time Guijarro scored with a head. The stadium roared, Stroot folded his arms. The beautiful lead – playful.

The Spaniards seemed even lighter on their feet, sometimes throwing leg shots and obviously having fun. Wolfsburg fought and countered. Pajor forgave the renewed lead after a counterattack, which promptly took revenge. Lynn Wilms shot defending colleague Kathrin Hendrich in his own penalty area while attempting to clear. The ball came to Rolfö via detours, and she completed it to make it 3:2.

In the final phase, VfL tried a lot, but also seemed drained from an intense game. Barcelona cleverly kept the Stroot team away from their own goal. In the final phase, the duels became increasingly heated.