The WoB vs. Arsenal showdown is going to be interesting. When Arsenal play cohesively and their defense shows up, they're truly one of the best teams in the world. Popp was amazing last night and took over the entire game--I hope that they can correctly learn to stagger the Popp/Pajor attack by April. And that Roord checks back in mentally. Obi should be fully healthy by then, which will help bolster WoB's weaker defense. Janssen, Rauch, and Frohms worked overtime yesterday--the backline looked vulnerable without their DM pivot.
Barça versus Chelsea is a rubber match two years in the making. Barça finally played their game on Wednesday and dominated AS Roma. The RW/LW combination of CGH and Rolfö is so deadly. Couple in Bonmatí and Guijarro from the middle (with a possibly returning Putellas and Pina in late April) and they have so many weapons. Not to mention Paredes and Mapí. The best defense for them is their best offense. Chelsea had luck and grit on their side (even though Lyon showed why they're truly one of the greatest club teams to ever play the game) to pull it off on penalties. But there's going to be even less room for error against Barça's relentless press.
In short: these matches are going to be amazing.
Arsenal/WOB going to be dependent on injuries and the mentality the teams have going in, my edge is to Arsenal because I think they are on the upward swing and then will really help them mentally
RB is the weak spot for Barca right now and Chelsea can definitely exploit that but I think Chelsea is also easily overwhelmed by a high press right now as we have seen when they played Arsenal
Definitely agreed about injuries and mentality being the ‘X-Factor’ for the Arsenal/WoB game. Arsenal doesn’t play a lot of different rotations (they have a *very* nearly static XI) and now they’re depleted by injuries. They also can lose focus quite easily—kudos to Jonas for being able to get them mentally back into the game when needed. He also does his homework and adjusts quickly within days (see: his beat down of Chelsea FCW just days after losing against them). WoB also has injuries, though less so, but can get complacent. They’re also dependent heavily on Popp/Pajor and the Obi pivot so the others can get lax. It’s going to need to be a team effort on Wolfsburg’s part to get over the hump. Plus their defense, while good at pushing on the left, caves easily against a quick long ball, which Arsenal can do. They’ll need Obi to be 100% with Huth bullying in the midfield to slow down Arsenal. Popp and Pajor will have to keep the defense honest. I don’t know about Roord. Her mind’s already in Spain, it seems.
RB is definitely Barça’s weakness—though a true defensive line is anyways. Haha. Their defense is a full-on press. Your opponent can’t attack if they don’t have the ball. Paredes and Mapí will definitely attack Chelsea’s weak defense, especially the left. Bronze is dangerous and she’ll cause Chelsea’s defense, which is bad at the quick swing, fits. Chelsea needs a good defensive effort and a true midfield to keep Barça honest—which they don’t have unfortunately. Not with Harder out. Therefore Barça will continue to press until they break the backline. Which almost always happens.
Harder will be back for that game also millie. Obviously she won't be fully fit. Also alexia will be back. I do still have barca fav at 60/40. If chelsea can keep it tie or win first leg I think they can win its just going to camp nou it's difficult to play for any team, barca play even better at home lol and it could be another sell out for them or atleast close
I hope Harder will be. To be honest, I wonder if she hit a snag in her recovery along the way even though she’s now upping intensity. From my experience, even with surgery, hamstring injuries could have them playing within around four months afterwards (so late March early April). Apparently she’s going to miss the international break and likely deeper into April. Without her, Chelsea’s midfield will struggle.
I have no idea about Bright but I hope so. However she just withdrew from the ENGWNT.
Injuries are depleting Chelsea, too.
Yes this is true RB is always the weak spot in a defensive line BUT Bronze has really not been in form lately, of course maybe she turns that around by the semi-finals, she has historically been a "big game player"? But if you watch her in the Roma games you can see her hesitating, holding onto the ball longer, not connecting well with CGH, this is a liability in an intense game
I love Bronze, I do think she is bringing other things to Barca with her experience but on the field maybe not so much
To be honest, I think Bronze tries to do *too much*. Her free-roaming is her greatest asset and her greatest weakness. It can mess up Barça's offensive flow when she moves around like she does. If she stayed in her defensive position and move with Paredes and Mapí more cohesively, I think it would benefit their team even more than using her as a free-roamer.
I'd say she's a big-game player--but she has to be used correctly and focused. Wiegman does a good job on the English national team but for clubs, she's difficult to manage. She has her own mindset and can throw off others because of it. CGH needs a free-flowing offense and regular feeds. If Bronze cuts that off, CGH will struggle and it will neutralize their RW attack from her side.
Over the summer of 2022, there were rumors about Barçelona wanting to sign Roord. With mutual interest on Roord’s end. WoB didn’t want to let her go, understandably.
Thanks for the write up. Even the matches this round were pretty great, tight affairs for the most part. I have to say the biggest disappointment for me was Bayern, even the match they won, they weren't convincing. I was expecting more from them after they beat Wolfsburg in their league, but maybe that was a similar type of game where Schuller pulls one off (I was unable to watch that game but if I remember correctly they won 1-0). Independently of Bayern not playing well, Arsenal has been playing well; I'd say of the two English teams they have looked better, and would have rather seen them play Barca. But Chelsea dug deep like a good winning team does against a very good Lyon. And, what can I say about Barcelona. They look great and even if they have weaknesses, I think they are extra hungry for the title this year and will be hard to beat. It can be done, Lyon showed that, but it's honestly hard to tell until the game is happening. Wolfsburg is the biggest unknown to me, I was only able to watch snippets of their games against PSG.
You're welcome, thank you for reading!
I also was disappointed in Bayern. I wanted to see a Frauen Bundesliga battle in the UWCL, but oh well. Bayern is the flip-image of WoB in that they're more defensively minded and focused on the gritty midfield giving them their breaks. WoB is the opposite, so seeing them play each other is always fun. They're both German-level physical, too, so you know they go all out.
Bayern just came in flat against Arsenal the second game. Kudos to Arsenal for negating Kumagai by playing around her--she ate their bacon the first game and helped swing their attack out of position first leg. Jonas adjusted well for that. Schüller was also negated with the defense focused on moving her out of position, Lohmann and Dallmann both being out of the game didn't help take the load off her. Magull was too busy trying to work the middle of the field to help out the second leg.
Arsenal is one of those weird teams where when they're playing well, they're near unbeatable. But otherwise, it can look like a total disaster class and they can look awful. Jonas can luckily make adjustments to cover for this and has the raw and experienced talent to actually make this work. It also helps that the women have been playing together for a long time, too.
Barça has their weaknesses: physicality and a more controlled pace (see Bayern and Lyon). But the key is: you have to have the talent and discipline to actually execute it. Very few teams do, not sure that Chelsea does to make it up in aggregate. But if Harder is healthy, then at least their midfield is stronger. Putellas coming back will drive Chelsea up the wall, regardless. Barça is hungry, for sure. They're not going to pull any punches.
WoB is good and has a chance to get to the Finals. I have them 60/40 over Arsenal right now. See above but if they can get the Popp/Pajor duo gelling and focus Roord, their offense will have no problem. Obi needs to get healthy and Janssen and Rauch will need to show up with Wilms and Hendrich helping out, too. Frohms isn't the weakest link in their defense. Huth will have to muscle in the midfield. But they have a really good chance against Arsenal.
Just a sidenote, but imo there is no way Janssen should play if both Hegering and Hendrich are fit, since she is so error-prone and Wolfsburg can't afford that in the semis
Yeah, Janssen's positioning can use work. But her synergy with Rauch is key. They play well together. So it's definitely a double-edged sword to play her.
Hegering and Hendrich are key. Their physicality and positioning can't be beat. WoB is going to need to determine how they're going to maximize their defense because Arsenal is going to (try) and be relentless.
Yeah. Pajor seems out of sorts. To be honest I think it’s because they’ve been overlapping Popp’s and Pajor’s roles. Popp is more versatile as a player and could play either the 9/10 role easily. She’s just that freaking good. She controlled the entire pace of WoB’s offense yesterday in the middle and was everywhere. Both on and off the ball.
Pajor is more of a true, pure 9. She needs to be a dynamic striker and pretty much only that. I think WoB was trying to rotate between the two and letting Pajor play more off the ball and as a secondary playmaker (which isn’t her best position) when they were both on the field. Pajor is better at getting to the spot and anticipating—though it’s by a slim margin between her and Popp. When that’s all she needs to worry about, that’s when Pajor is at her best.
If they’re going to play together on the field at the same time, they need to make Popp be more of a playmaker and have Pajor be the striker. Not try to alternate that role between them.
After last night's nerver-wracking game of Chelsea vs Lyon I'm even more sad that we won't get to see Endler at the World Cup. She's truly one of the best.
The WoB vs. Arsenal showdown is going to be interesting. When Arsenal play cohesively and their defense shows up, they're truly one of the best teams in the world. Popp was amazing last night and took over the entire game--I hope that they can correctly learn to stagger the Popp/Pajor attack by April. And that Roord checks back in mentally. Obi should be fully healthy by then, which will help bolster WoB's weaker defense. Janssen, Rauch, and Frohms worked overtime yesterday--the backline looked vulnerable without their DM pivot. Barça versus Chelsea is a rubber match two years in the making. Barça finally played their game on Wednesday and dominated AS Roma. The RW/LW combination of CGH and Rolfö is so deadly. Couple in Bonmatí and Guijarro from the middle (with a possibly returning Putellas and Pina in late April) and they have so many weapons. Not to mention Paredes and Mapí. The best defense for them is their best offense. Chelsea had luck and grit on their side (even though Lyon showed why they're truly one of the greatest club teams to ever play the game) to pull it off on penalties. But there's going to be even less room for error against Barça's relentless press. In short: these matches are going to be amazing.
Arsenal/WOB going to be dependent on injuries and the mentality the teams have going in, my edge is to Arsenal because I think they are on the upward swing and then will really help them mentally RB is the weak spot for Barca right now and Chelsea can definitely exploit that but I think Chelsea is also easily overwhelmed by a high press right now as we have seen when they played Arsenal
Definitely agreed about injuries and mentality being the ‘X-Factor’ for the Arsenal/WoB game. Arsenal doesn’t play a lot of different rotations (they have a *very* nearly static XI) and now they’re depleted by injuries. They also can lose focus quite easily—kudos to Jonas for being able to get them mentally back into the game when needed. He also does his homework and adjusts quickly within days (see: his beat down of Chelsea FCW just days after losing against them). WoB also has injuries, though less so, but can get complacent. They’re also dependent heavily on Popp/Pajor and the Obi pivot so the others can get lax. It’s going to need to be a team effort on Wolfsburg’s part to get over the hump. Plus their defense, while good at pushing on the left, caves easily against a quick long ball, which Arsenal can do. They’ll need Obi to be 100% with Huth bullying in the midfield to slow down Arsenal. Popp and Pajor will have to keep the defense honest. I don’t know about Roord. Her mind’s already in Spain, it seems. RB is definitely Barça’s weakness—though a true defensive line is anyways. Haha. Their defense is a full-on press. Your opponent can’t attack if they don’t have the ball. Paredes and Mapí will definitely attack Chelsea’s weak defense, especially the left. Bronze is dangerous and she’ll cause Chelsea’s defense, which is bad at the quick swing, fits. Chelsea needs a good defensive effort and a true midfield to keep Barça honest—which they don’t have unfortunately. Not with Harder out. Therefore Barça will continue to press until they break the backline. Which almost always happens.
Harder will be back for that game also millie. Obviously she won't be fully fit. Also alexia will be back. I do still have barca fav at 60/40. If chelsea can keep it tie or win first leg I think they can win its just going to camp nou it's difficult to play for any team, barca play even better at home lol and it could be another sell out for them or atleast close
I hope Harder will be. To be honest, I wonder if she hit a snag in her recovery along the way even though she’s now upping intensity. From my experience, even with surgery, hamstring injuries could have them playing within around four months afterwards (so late March early April). Apparently she’s going to miss the international break and likely deeper into April. Without her, Chelsea’s midfield will struggle. I have no idea about Bright but I hope so. However she just withdrew from the ENGWNT. Injuries are depleting Chelsea, too.
Yes this is true RB is always the weak spot in a defensive line BUT Bronze has really not been in form lately, of course maybe she turns that around by the semi-finals, she has historically been a "big game player"? But if you watch her in the Roma games you can see her hesitating, holding onto the ball longer, not connecting well with CGH, this is a liability in an intense game I love Bronze, I do think she is bringing other things to Barca with her experience but on the field maybe not so much
To be honest, I think Bronze tries to do *too much*. Her free-roaming is her greatest asset and her greatest weakness. It can mess up Barça's offensive flow when she moves around like she does. If she stayed in her defensive position and move with Paredes and Mapí more cohesively, I think it would benefit their team even more than using her as a free-roamer. I'd say she's a big-game player--but she has to be used correctly and focused. Wiegman does a good job on the English national team but for clubs, she's difficult to manage. She has her own mindset and can throw off others because of it. CGH needs a free-flowing offense and regular feeds. If Bronze cuts that off, CGH will struggle and it will neutralize their RW attack from her side.
Roord is leaving Wolfsburg?
Over the summer of 2022, there were rumors about Barçelona wanting to sign Roord. With mutual interest on Roord’s end. WoB didn’t want to let her go, understandably.
Thanks for the write up. Even the matches this round were pretty great, tight affairs for the most part. I have to say the biggest disappointment for me was Bayern, even the match they won, they weren't convincing. I was expecting more from them after they beat Wolfsburg in their league, but maybe that was a similar type of game where Schuller pulls one off (I was unable to watch that game but if I remember correctly they won 1-0). Independently of Bayern not playing well, Arsenal has been playing well; I'd say of the two English teams they have looked better, and would have rather seen them play Barca. But Chelsea dug deep like a good winning team does against a very good Lyon. And, what can I say about Barcelona. They look great and even if they have weaknesses, I think they are extra hungry for the title this year and will be hard to beat. It can be done, Lyon showed that, but it's honestly hard to tell until the game is happening. Wolfsburg is the biggest unknown to me, I was only able to watch snippets of their games against PSG.
You're welcome, thank you for reading! I also was disappointed in Bayern. I wanted to see a Frauen Bundesliga battle in the UWCL, but oh well. Bayern is the flip-image of WoB in that they're more defensively minded and focused on the gritty midfield giving them their breaks. WoB is the opposite, so seeing them play each other is always fun. They're both German-level physical, too, so you know they go all out. Bayern just came in flat against Arsenal the second game. Kudos to Arsenal for negating Kumagai by playing around her--she ate their bacon the first game and helped swing their attack out of position first leg. Jonas adjusted well for that. Schüller was also negated with the defense focused on moving her out of position, Lohmann and Dallmann both being out of the game didn't help take the load off her. Magull was too busy trying to work the middle of the field to help out the second leg. Arsenal is one of those weird teams where when they're playing well, they're near unbeatable. But otherwise, it can look like a total disaster class and they can look awful. Jonas can luckily make adjustments to cover for this and has the raw and experienced talent to actually make this work. It also helps that the women have been playing together for a long time, too. Barça has their weaknesses: physicality and a more controlled pace (see Bayern and Lyon). But the key is: you have to have the talent and discipline to actually execute it. Very few teams do, not sure that Chelsea does to make it up in aggregate. But if Harder is healthy, then at least their midfield is stronger. Putellas coming back will drive Chelsea up the wall, regardless. Barça is hungry, for sure. They're not going to pull any punches. WoB is good and has a chance to get to the Finals. I have them 60/40 over Arsenal right now. See above but if they can get the Popp/Pajor duo gelling and focus Roord, their offense will have no problem. Obi needs to get healthy and Janssen and Rauch will need to show up with Wilms and Hendrich helping out, too. Frohms isn't the weakest link in their defense. Huth will have to muscle in the midfield. But they have a really good chance against Arsenal.
Just a sidenote, but imo there is no way Janssen should play if both Hegering and Hendrich are fit, since she is so error-prone and Wolfsburg can't afford that in the semis
Yeah, Janssen's positioning can use work. But her synergy with Rauch is key. They play well together. So it's definitely a double-edged sword to play her. Hegering and Hendrich are key. Their physicality and positioning can't be beat. WoB is going to need to determine how they're going to maximize their defense because Arsenal is going to (try) and be relentless.
hopefully Pajor starts finishing. If Wolfsburg is on their game , Arsenal doesn't stand a chance but they've been really bad this month
Yeah. Pajor seems out of sorts. To be honest I think it’s because they’ve been overlapping Popp’s and Pajor’s roles. Popp is more versatile as a player and could play either the 9/10 role easily. She’s just that freaking good. She controlled the entire pace of WoB’s offense yesterday in the middle and was everywhere. Both on and off the ball. Pajor is more of a true, pure 9. She needs to be a dynamic striker and pretty much only that. I think WoB was trying to rotate between the two and letting Pajor play more off the ball and as a secondary playmaker (which isn’t her best position) when they were both on the field. Pajor is better at getting to the spot and anticipating—though it’s by a slim margin between her and Popp. When that’s all she needs to worry about, that’s when Pajor is at her best. If they’re going to play together on the field at the same time, they need to make Popp be more of a playmaker and have Pajor be the striker. Not try to alternate that role between them.
maybe they could try a 442 with Roord out. When Roord isn't scoring she's not as effective
If both Arsenal and Wolfsburg bring their A game, I will choose Arsenal to bend Wolfsburg over.
After last night's nerver-wracking game of Chelsea vs Lyon I'm even more sad that we won't get to see Endler at the World Cup. She's truly one of the best.
Paños tho
I mean Paños rarely get's challenged during club play so it's hard to guess how she will do during the world cup but I am intrigued to see her!
Paños is one of the 15 so we will probably not see her in the World Cup either
No info yet on the dates and kickoff times?
One source says the first leg will be 22/23 April and the second on 29/30 april
Ah well, it was a nice run. RIP
COYB 💙💙💙
Why even play, Just give it to Barca