Barcelona and Lyon face off in Women’s Champions League Final for the ages
· Yahoo Sports
FC Barcelona Femení and OL Lyonnes face off in Oslo tonight for the UEFA Women’s Champions League title, a blockbuster final defined by two of the best teams in Europe – and a managerial swap. Former Barça boss Jonatan Giráldez is now leading the French champions, while his former assistant, Pere Romeu, looks to secure a domestic treble for the Catalan giants in his first season in charge.
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“I see a team that is more mature than last season,” Romeu said ahead of the match, adding that his squad possesses a greater ability to alter tactics mid-game compared to the side that fell to Arsenal in last year’s final.
That was then, this is now. Now the student faces off against his former master, in a game that sees the two titans of women’s football square off. It’s not just the two coaches that share history.
The two clubs have met three times in the Champions League final before. Lyon were dominant in 2019 (winning 4-1) and 2022 (winning 3-1). But Barça roared back with a 2-0 victory in Bilbao two years ago.
In the buildup, Alexia Putellas brushed off the idea that history will dictate the present. “We can’t compare seasons and we can’t compare finals,” the two-time Ballon d’Or winner insisted.
Stylistically, this is a clash of polar opposites. Barcelona want to suffocate teams with possession and relentless passing, while Lyon lean into aggressive, high-pressing transitions.
The way to beat the Catalans, analysts say, is to pack the midfield. Not that many teams have accomplished it this season. In fact, Barcelona have only lost one match – against Real Sociedad. But they have two draws in Europe, one each against Chelsea and Bayern Munich. In those matches, opponents found joy by deploying five-man blocks to deny central space, forcing Barça wide. In fact, Bayern managed to make the blaugrana attempt 28 open-play crosses in their semifinal first leg, which was their highest mark all season.
Another question mark for Barcelona is the availability of Aitana Bonmatí. The midfielder has been building up strength after a five-month layoff with a broken leg, but she hasn’t played a full 90 minutes since November. Romeu mentioned she is improving daily, but she’s likely to be on the bench. Immense pressure falls on Patri Guijarro to control the tempo in her absence.
On the bright side, Caroline Graham Hansen and Irene Paredes both trained normally in Oslo after recent fitness scares.
Pushing full-backs high can leave Barcelona exposed on the counter, a vulnerability Lyon’s flying midfielder Melchie Dumornay is perfectly equipped to punish. But if executed properly, the high press can leave Lyon without oxygen.
Barcelona’s beautiful fluid football can leave the other side dizzy. Players making quick passes and moving in and out of spaces, alternating positions… it can be a joy to watch. Lyon will certainly have their hands full.
With that combination of pressing, passing, movement, and also, set piece efficiency, Barça just secured another domestic treble by brushing aside Atlético de Madrid 3-1 in the Copa de la Reina. Lyon are chasing their own domestic treble next week. They will be looking to re-establish their legacy as the queens of Europe.
That reputation used to put fear into other teams. That may no longer be the case. Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll said that Lyon’s fear factor was removed when they beat the eight-time champions two years ago. But Lyon remain fiercely hungry. Midfielder Lily Yohannes told UEFA that the group possesses an intense desire after a three-year European drought.
As the squad prepared to leave their hotel, they were met with a legendary reminder. Emblazoned for the players to see before boarding the team bus was Johan Cruyff’s iconic phrase: “Go out and enjoy.”