We bring you all the latest updates on interviews and quotes from the press conference, fun fact ahead of the UWCL, and news updates on Asisat Oshoala’s possible involvement in the match.
FC Barcelona Femeni road to Eindhoven
The FC Barcelona Femeni journey to the final of the UWCL has been remarkable. Coming back from the defeat in the last final to Lyon. The Barca Femeni played their first game against Benfica last year on October 19 and went on to win 9-0.
Then went on to play Rosengard away on October 27, 2022, and won 4-1. The journey continued on November 24, 2022, against Bayern Munich and the Barça women got a 3-0 home win.
In the reverse fixture of the group stage of the UWCL, they lost 3-1 to Bayern Munich in an away match on December 7, 2022.
They won against Benfica, winning 6-2 in the away match on December 15, 2022. They also got a victory in the last match against Rosengard in a 6-0 home win on December 21, 2022.
The Catalan team played against Roma in a double-leg quarter-final getting an away 1-0 win in the first leg of the tie. And went on to win 5-1 in the home game of the reverse fixture on March 29, 2023.
The Catalan team progressed to the final after playing and winning 2-1 aggregate against a well-balanced and well-performed Chelsea FC Women’s team.
The Barca got a 1-0 victory in Stamford Bridge on the 22nd of April 2023 before drawing 1-1 in the Spotify Camp Nou on the 27th of April 2023.
The FC Barcelona Femeni went on to score 37 goals and conceded 8 in 10 matches while completing 5680 passes according to Dazn Football
Fun Fact ahead of the UWCL final
- In the UWCL Wolfsburg have won 8 out of 9 matches against Spanish team, including four wins from five matches against FC Barcelona Femeni.
- The FC Barcelona Femeni have won all their previous three matches in the Netherlands.
- FC Barça Femení and VfL Wolfsburg will battle it out in front of a sellout crowd of almost 35,000 fans
News and Updates on UWCL final
According to some rumors, despite traveling with the squad to Eindhoven for the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, there is a major doubt about Oshoala getting minutes in the game as there is news that she continues to train in isolation.
The Nigerian striker boasts impressive goal-scoring stats this season in both the Liga F and UEFA Women’s Champions League. Her involvement will be an additional threat to the Wolfsburg defense.
Quotes from Lucy Bronze’s interview with GiveMeSportW
“It’s a brilliant time to be at Barcelona. Winning Liga F with the club was fantastic, and it was amazing to achieve something new in my career.”
“The fans are among some of the most passionate in the world, and it’s great that we’ve been able to bring them success on the pitch this season.”
“People in this city eat, breathe and sleep football, and they also hold both the men and women’s team in the same – and the highest – regard.”
“It should be a really exciting game, featuring different styles of play, and hopefully we can deliver for the fans in Eindhoven.”
Quotes from Jonatan Giraldez UWCL press conference
The coach talked about how it feels to be in the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and about being a coach of the FC Barcelona Femeni first team.
“I’m very excited. When you get to coach Barcelona, you have to compete in big games for major honours in every competition. Being here shows we’ve done a very good job overall. We are thrilled to be here and hope to get the win tomorrow.”
The head coach also gave a hint that the club captain Alexia Putellas could be played through the middle of the attack as a false 9 against Wolfsburg. The captain has proven to be a decisive player in front of goal and in the opposition box.
“Alexia Putellas is available, as are the other players. It could be 90 minutes, 120 minutes – she is fully fit. Playing her in a ‘false 9’ position is an option. We had a look at that in the match the other day and we thought that it might serve us well in the penalty box. She’s a decisive player close to goal.”
The coach talked about the shape of the team and about the availability of all the players, and the feeling he’s carrying into the final match.
“I think we’re in very good shape. All the players are available, which is a big positive. We’ve had lots of time to prepare for this final. Experience also gives us a boost. It gives us more strategies ahead of the final. I am feeling optimistic.”
Speaking about how the fans also have to contribute and support the team. He encouraged the fans to keep up the good work.
“Tomorrow will be a great day and the fans need to ‘play’ as well. Our players need to really feel the fans’ support. My message to the ‘Culés’ is that they continue to do exactly what they’ve done all season.”
Quotes from Caroline Graham Hansen UWCL press conference
“It’s very special for me. I played for Wolfsburg for five years and experienced many things there. Now I’m very happy at Barcelona and all I want to do is win the final.”
“Wolfsburg are a good side who are full of quality, so if we win tomorrow it’ll be another indication that we are a great team.”
“The key to winning is the team. Every single one of us needs to bring her best version to the game to aid the team. Only like that will we win a big victory.”
Quotes from Alexia Putellas UWCL press conference
“I feel 100% fit. Every player has a responsibility to give 100% and be at the team’s disposal. As for how many minutes I will play, that’s up to the coach.”
“We know we are up against one the best teams in Europe, that’s why they are in the final. Any mistake we make puts us in peril. We have to be efficient in good positions.”
“It is a really big deal. We want to thank the fans for all the big efforts they are putting in to be here. Some people are coming by bus, 15 hours here and 15 hours back and some people are spending a lot of money to be here so we are very grateful. Having our fans here will make a huge difference.”
“Over the last two years, our evolution has been really positive. We are much more versatile as a team and we understand each other even better. Tomorrow, we know, is going to be a really even contest.”
“Playing a Champions League final has no comparison with any other game. Losing last year was traumatic, yes – but going through it gives you experience of how to manage the big moments.”
