FC Barcelona Femeni have long been revered for their fluid style of play, rock-solid midfield, and dominance on Europe’s grandest stages. With three UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) titles to their name and a consistently high-scoring attack in domestic competition, they are unquestionably a powerhouse. Yet, for all their success, there has been a notable gap in their lineup — the absence of a true number nine.
Despite their attacking prowess, Barcelona has often struggled to translate creativity into goals during critical moments. While forwards like Jenni Hermoso, Mariona Caldentey, and Claudia Pina have been brilliant in adapted roles, none of them have been natural strikers. For years, the team has relied on their elite midfield, hoping that stars like Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, or Patri Guijarro could deliver in decisive moments.
However, even with these world-class midfielders, there remained a noticeable tactical void at the top of their attack. Barcelona’s style of play has never lacked flair, but their failure to find a clinical, natural finisher has cost them in key competitions, especially at the highest levels of European football. While other teams in Europe capitalized on having out-and-out strikers, Barcelona’s reliance on creativity over raw finishing power often came up short in big games.
This missing element in their attacking structure often became evident in matches where sheer control of possession wasn’t enough to secure victory. Barcelona dominated games, particularly against less challenging domestic opponents, but struggled against elite teams with compact defenses. Their inability to convert chances into goals, despite dominating in other areas, became a growing concern.
The striker problem: a long-standing issue
Barcelona’s troubles in front of goal during crucial matches have been well-documented. In the 2021 Supercopa defeat to Atletico Madrid and the 2022 UWCL final loss to Lyon, Barcelona’s over-reliance on midfield brilliance became apparent. Despite controlling much of the game, they simply couldn’t put away the chances they created.
Even the club’s all-time top scorer, Hermoso, was deployed in a false nine role. While Hermoso’s versatility and football intelligence were unmatched, the lack of a true number nine remained a tactical headache. Although highly skilled, Caldentey and Pina were also forced to take on striker duties despite being better suited to playmaking roles.
Barcelona’s search for a natural striker seemed promising when they signed Asisat Oshoala in 2019. The Nigerian international brought speed and goals, but injuries and inconsistent form prevented her from becoming the long-term solution they had hoped for. The introduction of Geyse Ferreira in the 2022/23 season looked like another attempt to solve the puzzle, but it was a short-lived experiment that didn’t work out.
Ewa Pajor: a game changer for Barcelona
In Ewa Pajor, Barcelona have finally found the number nine they’ve been craving. The Polish striker arrives from Wolfsburg with a reputation for being one of the most lethal finishers in women’s football. Her time in the Frauen-Bundesliga and the UWCL speaks for itself — Pajor is a natural-born goal scorer, capable of finding the back of the net in the biggest games.
Her quality was on full display during the 2023 UWCL final in Eindhoven, where she capitalized on a rare defensive mistake from Barcelona and fired Wolfsburg into the lead. Though the Blaugrana eventually staged a remarkable comeback to win the title, Pajor’s ability to punish even the smallest defensive lapse made one thing clear: this was the kind of striker Barcelona had been lacking.
What a way to open the score!
Ewa Pajor picked Lucy Bronze’s pockets to find the top corner.
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Since she arrived at the Catalan club, Pajor has hit the ground running. Her performance in the early stages of the season has been nothing short of remarkable, netting 10 goals and 3 assists in 8 games, including a clinical hat-trick against Granada and Hammarby. Pajor’s finishing and movement off the ball have given Barcelona the cutting edge they’ve so often lacked in previous seasons.
While Pajor’s goals have been crucial, her overall contribution to the team goes beyond just finding the back of the net. She’s a complete striker—her hold-up play, pressing from the front, and link-up with teammates have made Barcelona a more well-rounded side. Pajor’s ability to stretch defences has opened up spaces for Barcelona’s creative midfielders to operate, making the team even harder to defend against.
Moreover, her arrival has eased the burden on Barcelona’s midfield, who are often expected to create and score.
Rekindling an old partnership: Ewa Pajor and Caroline Graham Hansen
One of the most exciting developments since Pajor’s arrival is her partnership with Caroline Graham Hansen. The two had previously played together at Wolfsburg from 2016 to 2019, and their connection is already paying dividends in Barcelona’s attacking setup. Graham Hansen, one of the best wingers in the world, now has a true target to aim for with her precise crosses into the box.
🎯 Pajor with the precision to give Barça an early lead!
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For years, Barcelona’s wingers like Graham Hansen, Fridolina Rolfö, and Lieke Martens would deliver pinpoint balls into the danger zone, only to see chances go begging due to the absence of a true striker. Now, with Pajor positioned centrally, there’s a real sense that Barcelona’s attack can be even more potent.
Can Barcelona win the UWCL again?
With Pajor now in their ranks, Barcelona looks more equipped than ever to win the UWCL again. The question is no longer if they can claim the title, but how many more trophies they can secure with Pajor leading the charge. Her early performances this season show that she’s hungry for success, and her ability to shine in high-pressure matches gives Barcelona a formidable edge in Europe.
Barcelona’s triumph against Lyon in the 2024 UWCL final in Bilbao, with goals from Bonmati and Putellas, demonstrated their potential. Now, with Pajor at the helm, the belief is growing that they could dominate for years to come.
Pajor is the missing puzzle piece Barcelona has been searching for, and her impact has already been felt. With her leading the line, Barcelona looks stronger, sharper, and more dangerous than ever. The future is bright, and Pajor’s arrival could be the key to unlocking even more silverware for this incredible team.