Lyon & Healy West3/17/2021
For Lyon, a midfield with Marozsan and Kumagai now has the former Wolfsburg player Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, whose experience could prove vital.Two of Europes most talented teams will meet under the lights at the Anoeta Stadium on Sunday at 2 p.m.ET, exclusively on CBS All Access.
Lyon are going for their seventh UWCL crown, while Wolfsburg are in the final for the fourth time against Lyon, and looking for their third title. How they got here When play resumed in August, Lyons quarterfinal match kicked off against another German side in Bayern Munich. It was closely contested battle with the French side ultimately eking out a 2-1 win. In their semifinal, Lyon took on domestic league rivals, Paris Saint-Germain. It was another tight matchup between familiar foes, with Lyon breaking through and securing a 1-0 victory. On the other side, Wolfsburg had to play Glasgow City in their quarterfinal, with the Germans winning comfortably, 9-1. In their semifinal, Wolfsburg faced 2019 Champions League runners-up Barcelona, where both teams battled in a narrow match, with Wolfsburg ultimately defeating their opponents 1-0. This has constantly been the team to beat for a reason as the talent they have on their roster is strong all over including a world class outside back in Lucy Bronze and intelligent midfielders in Saki Kumagai and Dzsenifer Marozsn. However, during these knockout rounds is where Lyon has shined brightest with players like Amel Majri and Wendie Renard breaking through on goal for Lyon. The team has had one less day of preparation to prepare, but their ability to raise their level at any moment is what sets them apart from so many. For Wolfsburg we have seen them typically play a 4-4-2 formation that allows them the close space when needed and counter when the opportunity presents. Against Barcelona we saw the team concede possession a bit in an effort to get the ball in dangerous spaces, with players like Alexandra Popp and Fridolina Rolf heavily involved. The team will want to try and match the tempo early if they are to frustrate Lyon on the ball. Players to watch For Lyon, they have to find someone to replace Nakita Parris up top now that she will miss the final due to a red card suspension. The team made a signing for Parris English national teammate Jodie Taylor, but its likely Majri who will get the extra attention from Wolfsburg players. Shes been integral to Wolfsburgs success, and notched her eighth hat trick during the quarterfinal against Glasgow City before ending her day with a fourth goal. Who has the edge Goalkeeper: Friederike Abt of Wolfsburg and Lyons Bouhaddi are well-known goalkeepers, but each have experienced some questionable moments in this tournament. They each need to sharpen their own senses individually, but extensive finals experience could come into play here. Edge: Lyon Defense: This ones close because both teams are great in the center, and Wolfsburgs Dominique Janssen did a good job of slotting in the back line with Lena Goessling nursing an injury. Goessling could be good for the final, and that will help slow Lyons attack. For Lyon, they got crafty outside backs in Bronze and Karchaoui, but the center paring of Buchanan and Renard is tall task for any attack. The German club has a strong veteran in Popp and a rising star in Ingrid Syrstad Engen.
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