Both teams deserve to have a go at the UEFA Women’s Champions League final after taking down other giants in the semifinal stage. Wolfsburg defeated Spanish champions Barcelona 1-0 on Tuesday. The next day, a strong and mighty PSG side tried to take down their bitter rivals Lyon, but the Lyonnaises pulled through with a 1-0 win to make it to their fifth UWCL final in a row.
WCL final: Lyon
Lyon arrives at the final as favorites with history and form to back it up. The French side has made it to the finals eight times since 2010 and won the competition six times. It is important to note that their two UWCL losses came against German sides, including one against Sunday’s opponent Wolfsburg in 2013. However, Lyon is no stranger to beating Wolfsburg in European finals as they did so twice in 2016 and 2018.
The Lyonnaises, led by manager Jean-Luc Vasseur, are looking to complete their third consecutive undefeated season. Their last Division 1 Feminine or UWCL loss came in 2017 against Manchester City in the Champions League semifinal second leg. That is a total of 84 games without tasting defeat.
Lyon’s semifinal game proved to be a challenge as they faced French rivals PSG. The Parisian side was not afraid of sending numbers forward in attack, but Lyon was able to deal with it to keep a clean sheet. English right-back Lucy Bronze proved to be one of the world’s best again in shutting down a highly attacking-minded duo made up of Kadidiatou Diani and Perle Morroni. Center Back Wendie Renard kept on making history, scoring her 103rd goal for the club to send Lyon to the final. However, Lyon will have to play without star players Nikkita Paris, who received a red card in the semifinal, midfielder Amandine Henry and forward Ada Hegerberg.
WCL final: Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg has a colorful Champions League history of its own in recent years that will help them cope with the pressure on Sunday. Like Lyon, the She-wolves have reached all their four finals in the last decade, winning back-to-back trophies in 2013 and 2014, and losing in 2016 and 2018. The two losses have come at the hands of Lyon, prompting the German side to give it all in San Sebastian on Sunday.
Led by manager Stephan Lerch, Wolfsburg has developed an intriguing playing style and has the players to bring the trophy back to Germany. Wolfsburg likes to frustrate teams early from the start with their 4-4-1-1 formation, allowing them to deal with sides that tend to pressure high up the pitch. But in the attack, the She-wolves are direct, making the best of their two forwards and wingers. Wolfsburg relies on strong forwards in Ewa Pajor and Pernille Harder to win one-on-one battles to get the team up the pitch. Norwegian midfielder Ingrid Engen dictates play using wide players in Svenja Huth and Fridolina Rolfo to create spaces in the middle lane and 18-yard-box. Rolfo’s goal is a prime example of what this attacking style is all about.
UEFA has teamed up with tracking and analytics provider @SecondSpectrum for the 2019/20 #UWCL finals in Spain.
— UEFA (@UEFA) August 30, 2020
This helps us and the clubs better evaluate the women’s game and is an important step in our #TimeForAction strategy to develop female football.#UWCLfinal @uwcl pic.twitter.com/Dbl7MmmkAA
UWCL final - Wolfsburg vs Lyon: broadcast information
Match details, result and original broadcast info
Wolfsburg Frauen 1 - 3 Olympique Lyonnais Féminines
August 30, 2020 2:00pmReale Arena (Donostia-San Sebastián)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
