The footballers of VfL Wolfsburg missed out on the third Champions League title in their club’s history. In the Eindhoven final on Saturday, the “wolves” lost 2:3 (2:0) against FC Barcelona after leading 2:0.
The 34,147 spectators in the sold-out PSV stadium in Eindhoven were treated to a gripping final. In the first half, Barcelona squandered a number of the best chances to score, while Ewa Pajor and Alexandra Popp gave the passionately fighting VfL the lead.
“All in all we can be very proud of the season.”
— VfL player Alexandra Popp
Then Patri equalized after the half-time break with a brace within two minutes for Barcelona. And given the constant pressure, the third goal was only a matter of time – of all people, former VfL player Fridolina Rolfö scored it and shattered Wolfsburg’s dream of a third Champions League triumph.
Stroot: “Advertising women’s football”
“It hurts brutally,” said goal scorer Alexandra Popp in the NDR interview. “We felt like we had Barcelona more or less under control.” However, the attacker admitted that the first half was “very intense”: “We’re not used to chasing a lot.” In the second half of the game, Barca “simply did it very well”.
VfL coach Tommy Stroot also analyzed it that way. “We saw an incredibly great final at a high level. We were also involved in many moments. And above all it was advertising for women’s football.”
Popp: “Makes hope for more”
This means that the VfL women have “only” won one trophy this season – the DFB Cup. In the championship, it was only enough for second place behind FC Bayern. “That’s something to be proud of,” summed up Popp and looked confidently to the future. “We had a relatively big upheaval two years ago and if we’re already in the final with really good football, then that gives hope for more in the years to come.”
Pajor scores from long range…
In Eindhoven, the “wolves” got off to a good start. Pajor chased the ball away from Lucy Bronze on the left, ran a few meters and then shot from the penalty area line. Barcelona’s goalkeeper Sandra Panos stretched in vain – 1:0 for VfL (3rd)! It was the attacker’s ninth goal in the current competition.
FC Barcelona – VfL Wolfsburg 3: 2 (0: 2) in shorthand
Gates: 0-1 Pajor (3′), 0-2 Popp (37′), 1-2, 2-2 Patri (48′, 50′), 3-2 Rolfö (70′)
Viewers: 34.147 (sold out)
FC Barcelona: Panos – Bronze, Paredes, Leon, Rolfö – Bonmati (90th Putellas), Walsh (90th Engen), Patri – Graham Hansen (80th Crnogorcevic), Salma Paralluelo (70th Geyse), Caldentey (80th Pina)
VfL Wolfsburg: Frohms – Wilms (83 Hegering), Hendrich, Janssen, Rauch – Oberdorf, Roord (71 Lattwein) – Huth – Jonsdottir, Pajor (83 Bremer), Popp
A bitter slap in the neck for the Catalans, who had significantly more possession of the ball and kept getting shots. The Wolfsburg defense didn’t always seem solid. Irene Paredes missed the greatest opportunity to equalize when she headed wide of the goal from two meters (12′). Ex-Wolf Caroline Graham Hansen couldn’t get the ball past VfL keeper Merle Frohms from close range (33′).
… Popp does it with his head
The Wolfsburg women not only survived this constant pressure, but also shocked the favorites with their second goal. Felicitas Rauch drove the ball forward on the left side and served Pajor – the Pole’s cross with pinpoint accuracy was headed by Popp to make it 2-0 (37′). Because Frohms also parried against Salma Paralluelo (45+3), the VfL lead went into the break.
Patri with a double strike to equalize, …
Barely five minutes were played after the restart when Barcelona equalized to make it 2-2. First Patri held off a cross from Hansen (48′), then the Spaniard headed past VfL goalkeeper Frohms (50′). Salma almost turned the game completely two minutes later, but Kathrin Hendrich straddled in between.
… and of all things Rolfö puts the final point
Just as the Wolfsburg team managed to free themselves – Pajor missed two chances – FCB struck for the third time – with a slapstick goal: Lynn Wilms shot Hendrich in his own penalty area while trying to clear, Barcelona’s Mariona first stumbled, but then managed to maneuver the ball somehow on to Rolfö – the ex-Wolfsburg player flicked the ball into the far corner (70th).
The Stroot team never recovered from this goal. The “wolves” were only allowed to take a breather during an injury-related drinking break, otherwise Barcelona were closer to 4:2 than VfL was 3:3. The nine-minute stoppage time didn’t change that.
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NDR 2 Sports | 06/03/2023 | 11:03 p.m
