The Barcelona Femení and the Wolfsburg are real titans in European female football, and their clashes in the UEFA Women’s Champions League have left a mark on history. A 6-1 marker would indicate that Barcelona had a rolling performance, probably at Camp Nou or the Estadi Johan Cruyff, where the Wolfsburg was overcome both tactically and physically.
Variable alignments
Barcelona (4-3-3):
- Porter: Cata Coll
- Defenses: Ona Batlle (LD), Irene Paredes (DFC), Mapi León (DFC), Fridolina Rolfö (LI)
- Campers: Aitana Bonmatí (MCD), Keira Walsh (MCD), Patri Guijarro (MCI)
- Delanteras: Caroline Graham Hansen (ED), Alexia Putellas (DEL), Salma Paralluelo (EI)
Wolfsburg (4-2-3-1):
- Porter: Lisa Weiß
- Defenses: Kathrin Hendrich (LD), Dominique Janssen (DFC), Sara Doorsoun (DFC), Lynn Wilms (LI)
- Campers: Lena Oberdorf (MCD), Ingrid Syrstad Engen (MCD), Sveindís Jónsdóttir (MD), Alexandra Popp (MCO), Ewa Pajor (MI)
- Delantera: Jule Brand
Tactical development
- Barcelona: The Catalan team surely used its famous style of possession, known as adapted tiki-taka, maintaining a ball control between 65% and 70%. High pressure after loss would have left the Wolfsburg breathless, compelling them to make mistakes at the exit. Aitana Bonmatí and Keira Walsh would have had control of the midfield, while Graham Hansen and Paralluelo took advantage of the bands with their speed and ability to bargain.
- Wolfsburg: Germans usually depend on fast transitions and the physical power of players like Popp and Pajor. However, the 6-1 suggests that his defense was vulnerable to the movements without a ball of Barcelona and that Oberdorf could not contain the center of the field alone.
goals and assistance
- 1-0 (Min 12): Aitana Bonmatí (Assistance: Graham Hansen) – Counterattack after high recovery; Hansen overwhelms and focuses features for Aitana.
- 2-0 (Min 25): Alexia Putellas (Assistance: Patri Guijarro) – Indirect free range in the area after combination; Patri plays short and Alexia defines zurda.
- 3-0 (Min 38): Salma Paralluelo (Assistance: Rolfö) – Rolfö climbs on the left and crosses for Salma to cut off.
- 4-0 (Min 52): Caroline Graham Hansen (Without assistance) – Beat in the area and crossfire unstoppable.
- 5-0 (Min 67): Alexia Putellas (Assistance: Bonmatí) – Collective play of 20 passes; Aitana filter and Alexia defines with class.
- 6-0 (Min 80): Salma Paralluelo (Assistance: Graham Hansen) – Hansen steals in rival exit and enables Salma to double.
- 6-1 (Min 87): Alexandra Popp (Assistance: Pajor) – Gol de honor en córner; Pajor peina y Popp remata.
MVP of the Party
Caroline Graham Hansen: With two assists and a coup, his imbalance on the right was key to dismantling the Wolfsburg defense. Its ability to press, bargain and assist makes it the star figure.
Arbitrary polyester
- Penalty not asked for Wolfsburg (Min 45): An entry from Mapi León on Ewa Pajor in the area was considered “slight contact” by the arbitra, but the Germans protested a lot. Without VAR (or with failed review), the decision generated controversy.
- Possible out of play on 4-0: Graham Hansen’s goal could have been preceded by a tight position of Paralluelo, which sparked criticism of the German bench.
Statements
- Jonatan Giráldez (Barcelona trainer): “We made an almost perfect match. Intensity and precision in attack were key. I’m proud of how we compete. “
- Tommy Stroot: “We were not up to it. Barcelona punishes any mistakes, and today we commit too many. We must learn from this.”
- Alexia Putellas: “The team is at an incredible moment. We play with joy and hunger for more titles.”
- Alexandra Popp: “It was a tough day. We were lacking in crowd and they took advantage of everything. “
Newspapers
- World of Sports (Spain): “Historical bath! The Barça crushes 6-1 to the Wolfsburg and reaffirms its European domain. “
- Sport (Spain): “Graham Hansen and Putellas lead the goleada: Barcelona is unstoppable.”
- Kicker, Germany “Disaster in Catalonia: Wolfsburg humiliated by an intratable Barcelona.”
- L’Équipe (France): “Le Barça féminin écrase Wolfsburg dans une démonstration de force (6-1). “
- The Guardian (United Kingdom): “Barcelona’s women dismantle Wolfsburg with a 6-1 masterclass.”
Extended Analysis
The 6-1 is a clear reflection of the current superiority of Barcelona in female football. They have managed to establish a solid game model thanks to years of investment and a well-defined philosophy. Practically, the Wolfsburg did not know how to respond: its 4-2-3-1 training was overcome by the mobility of the culés interiors, such as Bonmatí and Guijarro, and the extent of the laterals, Batlle and Rolfö. The high pressure of the Barça deactivated the balloon output of the German team, and the technical quality in the last meters was what really made the difference.
Although the Wolfsburg showed competitiveness, he saw some defensive weaknesses in the face of a rival who does not forgive any loss. Popp and Pajor, their key players, were quite isolated due to the lack of connection with the midfield. This result could be an indication of a change of guard in Europe, with Barcelona consolidating itself as the team to win.
