Barcelona vs Wolfsburg Women’s Champions League final preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups. Barcelona and Wolfsburg will meet in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on Saturday 3 June at a sold-out PSV Stadium, Eindhoven, the first time the decider has been in the Netherlands.
Barcelona vs Wolfsburg at a glance
When: Saturday 3 June (16:00 CET kick-off)
Where: PSV Stadium, Eindhoven
What: UEFA Women’s Champions League final
How to follow / Where to watch: Build-up and live stream from DAZN can be found here.
Barcelona
Barcelona are the defending champions and are looking to win their third consecutive title. They have been in dominant form this season, winning all 30 of their league matches and scoring 180 goals. They have also reached the semi-finals of the Copa de la Reina, where they will face Real Madrid.
Barcelona are in their third final in four seasons, their sensational 2021 4-0 defeat of Chelsea sandwiching losses to Lyon in 2019 and 2022. Last year in Turin, Barcelona were probably the favorites, having had a sensational season before their 3-1 final loss. They look the team to beat again having scored a record 29 goals in the group stage (despite a loss at Bayern) before seeing off Roma and Chelsea in the knockouts.
Barcelona’s strength lies in its attack, which is led by Alexia Putellas, Jennifer Hermoso, and Caroline Graham Hansen. Patellas is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and is one of the best players in the world. Hermoso is a clinical finisher who has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season. Hansen is a creative winger who has provided 16 assists.
Barcelona’s defense is also strong, led by Mapi Leon and Irene Paredes. Leon is a versatile defender who can play in central defense or at right-back. Paredes is a strong and physical defender who is good in the air.
Wolfsburg
Last season Wolfsburg lost 5-3 on aggregate to Barcelona in the semis, but after a heavy loss at Camp Nou (with Graham Hansen among the scorers) did win 2-0 at home. Aiming for a first title since winning on their debut entries in 2012/13 and 2013/14, Wolfsburg has also found Lyon their final nemeses, in 2016, 2018, and 2020. Wolfsburg is the only team to have beaten Barcelona in the UWCL final, doing so in 2013 and 2014. They are also the only team to have won the competition three times. They have had a more mixed season this year, finishing third in the Bundesliga and losing to Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.
Wolfsburg’s strength lies in their midfield, which is led by Pernille Harder and Jill Roord. Harder is one of the best players in the world and has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season. Roord is a creative midfielder who has provided 11 assists.
Wolfsburg’s defense is also strong, led by Svenja Huth and Dominique Janssen. Huth is a versatile defender who can play in central defense or at right-back. Janssen is a strong and physical defender who is good in the air.
Possible line-ups
Barcelona: Paños: Bronze/Torrejón, Paredes, León, Rolfö: Walsh, BonmatÃ, Putellas: Graham Hansen, Geyse, Paralluelo
Wolfsburg: Frohms; Wilms, Hendrich, Janssen, Rauch; Oberdorf, Lattwein; Huth, Roord, Popp; Pajor
Form guide (most recent first)
Barcelona
Last six games (most recent result first): LWDWWD
Last match: Madrid CFF 2-1 Barcelona, 21/05
Domestic season: Spanish Liga champions, Spanish Super Cup winners
Wolfsburg
Last six games (most recent result first): WWWLWW
Last match: Wolfsburg 2-1 Freiburg, 28/05
Domestic season: Frauen-Bundesliga runners-up, German Cup winners
Prediction
Barcelona are the favorites to win the final, but Wolfsburg will be determined to avenge their defeat in 2013 and 2014. The match is sure to be a close contest, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
Key Players to Watch Out For
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona): The Spanish midfielder is Barcelona’s captain and is one of the best players in the world. She is a creative force who can dribble past defenders and create chances for her teammates.
Jennifer Hermoso (Barcelona): The Spanish striker is Barcelona’s top scorer this season with 21 goals in all competitions. She is a clinical finisher and is also good at creating chances for her teammates.
Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona): The Norwegian winger is another creative force who can dribble past defenders and create chances for her teammates. She is also a good finisher.
Pernille Harder (Wolfsburg): The Danish forward is one of the best players in the world. She is a clinical finisher and is also good at creating chances for her teammates.
Jill Roord (Wolfsburg): The Dutch midfielder is a creative force who can dribble past defenders and create chances for her teammates. She is also a good finisher.
The final is sure to be a close contest, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Barcelona are the favorites, but Wolfsburg have shown in the past that they are capable of beating the Catalan giants.
