2023 UWCL Final: Match Preview

Barcelona will face Wolfsburg in what is expected to be a thrilling UEFA Women’s Champions League final. Both finalists have already had a taste of winning this cup so they will be determined to reclaim the trophy. A sell-out crowd awaits to see who will become the 2023 Women’s Champions League winners!

The game will be played at the PSV Stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands on Saturday 3^rd June (15:00, BST Kick-off).

Build-up and a free live stream of the game can be found on DAZN’s YouTube channel.

Barcelona vs Wolfsburg, UWCL Final 2023. Photo credit: DAZN Football (YouTube)

Predicted line-ups

Barcelona: Paños; Torrejón, Paredes, León, Rolfö; Bonmatí, Walsh, Putellas; Geyse, Graham Hansen, Paralluelo

Wolfsburg: Frohms; Wilms, Hendrich, Janssen, Rauch; Oberdorf, Lattwein; Roord, Huth, Popp; Pajor

Previous meetings between the teams

2021/22 semi-final: Barcelona 5-3 Wolfsburg (1^st leg- 5-1, 2^nd leg- 0-2)

2019/20 semi-final: Wolfsburg 1-0 Barcelona

2013/14 quarter-final: Wolfsburg 5-0 Barcelona (1^st leg- 3-0, 2^nd leg- 2-0)

Team News

Barcelona

After getting their first UEFA Women’s Champions League win against Chelsea in 2021, Barcelona are eager to add more silverware to their cabinet for the 2022/23 season. They were crowned the champions of their domestic league, finishing with an impressive total of 85 points. Just 1 loss, 1 draw out of 30 games, and a stifling goal difference of 108 suggest that Barcelona are favorites in the run-up to the final.

Alexia Putellas makes her return to the pitch after a long spell out due to an ACL injury. A player who has been a key part of Barcelona’s success over the years could potentially start in the final but in her absence, other players such as Aitana Bonmatí have stepped up and showed their importance in the team. A difficult decision for Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez to make.

Lucy Bronze is also available for selection following surgery on her knee a few weeks ago after sustaining an injury in the 1^st leg of the semi-final against Chelsea. In an interview with GOAL, she stated “I’m fully recovered. I’m available to play”. The European champion hopes to feature in the Champions League final which she previously won back in 2019 during her time at Lyon against her current club, Barcelona. Torrejón will also be in contention to start at right back on Saturday after putting in some great performances while Bronze was unable to play.

Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze celebrates England's win. England vs Germany. UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Final. — *England vs Germany. UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Final. Photo by James Whitehead.*

Keira Walsh, another English player, and European champion who has never featured in this final before hopes to fulfil what many players dream to achieve. When asked about her decision to sign for Barca she said, “Playing these finals is one of the main reasons I came here”. Can she end her first season at Barcelona with both a league title and a winner of the UWCL.

Wolfsburg

The obstacle standing in the way of Barcelona is 2 times Women’s Champions League winner Wolfsburg. After being knocked out in the semi-final to Barca last season, they will be hungry for revenge. Despite only winning this cup twice, Wolfsburg are on an outstanding run of making it to at least the quarterfinals in this competition for the past 11 consecutive seasons. Impressive right!

Beating Arsenal (the only English team to win the UWCL) in the last minute of extra time in the semi-final in front of a sell-out crowd of over 60,000 fans at the Emirates was a game that will be remembered for a long time!

Record crowd for Arsenal women at the Emirates Stadium. — *Record crowd for Arsenal women at the Emirates. Photo Credits: Ruby Joanne (Sporting Her)*

With several players suffering minor niggles and Caroline Graham Hansen recovering from a virus, Wolfsburg are the underdogs going into Saturday’s final.

During a press conference, Wolfsburg captain Alex Popp gave her thoughts on her team winning the UWCL final. “The only thing that can prevent us from winning is ourselves” She also stated that with the quality they have within the squad this season, she believes that they can get the victory. Popp didn’t make an appearance in the 1^st leg of the semi-final due to injury but her return in the 2^nd leg was a big bonus for the team. Putting her team ahead in the second half gave them the hope of reaching the final. Can she step up once again and secure the win for her team?