Wolfsburg and Barcelona meet in their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday 19 March at VfL Wolfsburg Arena.
Wolfsburg vs Barcelona at a glance
When: Wednesday 19 March (18:45 CET kick-off)
Where: VfL Wolfsburg Arena, Wolfsburg
What: UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg
How to follow: Build-up can be found here
Second leg: Thursday 27 March (18:45 CET kick-off), Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
What do you need to know?
The last occasion two-time champions Wolfsburg and holders Barcelona met was the dramatic 2023 final in Eindhoven, when the German side led at half-time only to lose 3-2, the winner scored by their former player Fridolina Rolfö. The previous season, a world-record 91,648 crowd at the Camp Nou watched Barcelona win the first leg of their semi-final 5-1, meaning they could afford a 2-0 defeat away to Wolfsburg, who had knocked out the Blaugrana in the 2019/20 last four and 2013/14 quarter-finals.
In 2014, Wolfsburg won their second title in Lisbon, where the final will again be held this season, but to get there they have to end Barcelona's hopes of a third title in a row (and fifth consecutive final). Wolfsburg did show their grit when recovering from losing their first two group games to make up a six-point gap on Roma. Barcelona themselves were beaten on Matchday 1 at Manchester City but were to score 26 goals in the five straight wins that clinched first place.
Women's Champions League: Barcelona's 2024/25 group stage goals
Rolfö is not the only former Wolfsburg player in Barcelona's squad as herself, Caroline Graham Hansen and Ingrid Engen were joined in the summer by 2023 final goalscorer Ewa Pajor, who has proved every bit as prolific for her new club as in her nine seasons in Germany.
Wolfsburg, who have former Barcelona striker Ariana Arias on their books, are well aware of what a deadly combination Pajor and Graham Hansen are. Since the winter break, Anneke Borbe has taken over from Merle Frohms as Wolfsburg's No1 goalkeeper, while Caitlin Dijkstra was signed too late to play in the group stage.
Barcelona's Ona Batlle and Kika Nazareth have both been ruled out due to injury, while Marina Hegering is fit after pulling out of Wolfsburg's Friday loss to Bayern in the warm-up.
Meet the quarter-finalists
Form guide
Wolfsburg
Last six games: LWWLDW
Last match: Bayern 3-1 Wolfsburg, 14/03, Frauen Bundesliga
Where they stand: 3rd in Frauen Bundesliga
2023 final highlights: Barcelona 3-2 Wolfsburg
Barcelona
Last six games: WWWWWW
Last match: Tenerife 0-2 Barcelona, 15/03, Liga F
Where they stand: 1st in Liga F, Copa de la Reina final
Where to watch
Matches in this season's UEFA Women's Champions League will be broadcast live and free on streaming platform DAZN throughout the world, with the exception of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – where rights sit with beIN MENA – and China and its territories.
Selected matches are also streamed free on DAZN's YouTube channel. The YouTube stream will also be embedded in the UEFA.com MatchCentres and on UEFA.tv for selected UEFA Women's Champions League games, with highlights to follow at midnight CET.
Possible starting line-ups
Wolfsburg: Borbe; Dijkstra, Minge, Hegering; Wilms, Huth, Lattwein, Brand, Linder; Popp, Beerensteyn
Barcelona: Coll; Jana Fernández, Paredes, Mapi León, Rolfö; Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatí, Putellas; Graham Hansen, Pajor, Paralluelo
2021/22 semi-final first-leg highlights: Wolfsburg 2-0 Barcelona
View from the camps
Tommy Stroot, Wolfsburg coach: "I think Barça absolutely want to win this title, the Champions League. This is a situation where they have a lot to play for, and we have a lot to play for.
"The Bayern game was a defeat that hurt, but also a game that was decided in specific moments. In big games like the Champions League quarter-finals, it's important to be there in the important moments."
Lineth Beerensteyn, Wolfsburg forward: "Everyone has a good feeling. Of course, we know it will be a difficult game. But we are mentally and physically ready for it. We've had good training sessions and are all looking forward to this great game."
Pere Romeu, Barcelona coach: "It's a very important match for us. We expect a very direct Wolfsburg, so we will have to try to establish control by keeping hold of possession.
"We have a very competitive squad, whoever plays. We will try to be at our best to take home the win."
Ewa Pajor, Barcelona forward: "It will be a very special match. I played here [for Wolfsburg] for nine years, so of course it will be special. I will give 100% for Barcelona, but it will be a difficult match because Wolfsburg play very aggressively.
"The Champions League is unique. I know that Wolfsburg will be very strong opponents, but we want to play our best. I don't know who are the favourites; we can only find out on the pitch. We are preparing for a great match and we hope to win."
Bracket Predictor
Where is the 2025 UEFA Women's Champions League final being played?
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Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon will stage the 2025 UEFA Women's Champions League final on Saturday 24 May.
The home of Sporting CP opened in 2003 ahead of UEFA EURO 2004 in Portugal, replacing another stadium of the same name. It hosted a semi-final of that tournament, among other games, and was the venue for the UEFA Cup decider the following year.
The 2025 final will be the second Women's Champions League showpiece to be held in Lisbon after 2014, when Estádio do Restelo staged Wolfsburg's 4-3 win against Tyresö.