MY ACCOUNT
Wolfsburg are one win away from their third Champions League title and Ewa Pajor could be the difference-maker.
She is the competition’s top scorer with an impressive eight goals, including one in the semi-final first leg against Arsenal.
If the 26-year-old can lead the German side to European glory, it would be the club’s first triumph in the competition since 2014.
Ahead of tonight’s showdown against Barcelona, we take a look at how the Polish striker can influence the final.
Goals galore
Pajor has been in sensational form for Wolfsburg in the Champions League.
The No9 has scored eight goals in 734 minutes — three more than any other player in the competition — at a remarkable rate of 0.98 goals per 90.
If Wolfsburg are to pull off an upset against Barca, Pajor will likely need to find the net once more in the final.
Attacking style
Pajor highlighted her side’s attacking mentality and credited that approach for her glut of goals in the Champions League this term.
She said: “The secret to this season is, we are playing great football. We always want to play forward and score goals.
“I play as the No9, so I get all the chances.”
Wolfsburg’s high-octane style, coupled with Barca’s technical quality, could well produce an entertaining, high-scoring final.
Dynamic duo
Wolfsburg manager Tommy Stroot has the luxury of fielding two quality forwards in Alexandra Popp and Pajor, who have struck up a lethal partnership.
The former has enjoyed a fruitful season in the Frauen-Bundesliga, scoring 16 goals in 21 games.
But she has lacked the same productivity in the Champions League, only netting two times in 715 minutes.
Despite this, Popp has still managed to make a positive contribution in the competition, averaging an impressive 4.78 progressive passes per 90 on the European stage.
Her creativity could be key to allowing Pajor to flourish, providing her with plenty of chances from which she can showcase her impeccable finishing.
Demanding methods
Wolfsburg work tirelessly to recover possession after losing it.
Pajor explained: “We want to win the ball back quickly and we just do it without thinking because we just want the ball again. For me, I want it back as quickly as possible.
“When I came to Wolfsburg, I was very thin with no muscle. I had to train with our fitness coach.”
The German side’s demanding counter-pressing methods will have to be executed perfectly against a Catalan outfit renowned for keeping the ball well.
Breaking Barca down
Barca’s defence will not be easy to get past.
Jonatan Giraldez’s side have kept an impressive five clean sheets in the Champions League — the second-best record in the competition. Only Chelsea have more (six).
Additionally, the Spanish champions have only let eight goals past them in 10 games.
Pajor will have to be ruthlessly efficient with her chances if she is to fire her side to victory in the final.
