With American Lindsey Horan in midfield, record eight-time winner Lyon faces defending champion Barcelona in a tantalizing Champions League final on Saturday in Bilbao, pitting the established elite against the new women’s soccer powerhouse.
After Lyon dominated the competition for the better part of a decade, Barcelona emerged to shake up the status quo, although it has never overcome the French side.
- American UEFA Women’s Champions League winners:
Lindsey Horan (Lyon) 2022
Catarina Macario (Lyon) 2022
Alex Morgan (Lyon) 2017
Ali Krieger (FFC Frankfurt) 2008
Gina Lewandowski (FFC Frankfurt) 2008
Victory would be a perfect last hurrah for both coaches, with Lyon’s Sonia Bompastor poised to replace Emma Hayes at Chelsea, while Barca coach Jonatan Giraldez is taking over NWSL club Washington Spirit.
The Catalans are out for revenge after 2019 and 2022 final losses Lyon, with Bompastor’s team aiming to reclaim the throne that was theirs for so long and put Barca back in their place.
The Spanish giant has won the competition twice in three seasons and if it ends its hex against Lyon will establish itself as the dominant force in the modern game.
Lyon was four goals up against Barcelona within 30 minutes in its 4-1 triumph in the 2019 final and three to the good by 33 minutes in the 2022 final, which it won 3-1.
Barcelona also fell two goals behind in last season’s final, although it bounced back to beat Wolfsburg 3-2.
“We cannot start like we did the last times — if you do then you’re rowing against it,” said midfielder Patri Guijarro, who netted twice against the German side.
Lyon sealed its 17th French league title in 18 seasons last weekend, also winning the country’s Champions trophy.
Barcelona is hoping to complete a remarkable quadruple at San Mames, following Liga F, Copa de la Reina and Spanish Super Cup triumphs.
Lyon is unbeaten in the competition this season, while Barcelona fell 1-0 at home against Chelsea in the semifinal first leg.
“We know that all our rivals want to bring Olympique Lyonnais down a peg or two, so they’re always very motivated,” said Bompastor.
“While we have a lot of respect for this Barcelona team, we know that with our experience and our qualities, we are capable of winning that match.”
Lyon have all-time top women’s Champions League goalscorer Ada Hegerberg in their ranks, along with veteran stars including Wendie Renard, who has played in all 10 finals Lyon have reached.
‘The two most talented teams’
Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze won the Champions League three times with Lyon between 2018-2020, and hailed the experienced French team’s mindset.
“Ultimately the core of the team is the same… they still have that mentality,” said Bronze.
“A team like Lyon, for years and years they will always carry that mentality of wanting to be European champions … I know that from being there.”
Bronze said that determination was a key factor in Lyon and recently Barcelona’s success.
“That is probably why it has only been Lyon and Barca in recent history getting over the line and winning the trophy,” continued Bronze.
“The two most talented teams in Europe in the last 10 years and the two with the mentality to want to win and to be hungry to win.”
Bronze said over the last few years Barcelona has gained the experience they need to finally turn the tables on the French giant.
“We know we are good enough to beat them, Barca have always had enough talent to match Lyon, Lyon probably just had more experience in the past,” she explained.
“That’s changed a little now, two Champions League (triumphs), four finals for this team, a lot of World Cup winners as well.”
Barcelona boast Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati and two-time recipient Alexia Putellas, both of whom lifted the World Cup with Spain last year.
With Caroline Graham Hansen in stunning form and talent littered through the team, Barcelona supporters will believe they can finally defeat Lyon.
While the French team defeated Paris Saint-Germain to claim the title in a half-empty stadium, Barcelona is heavily backed and will have well over 10,000 supporters in Bilbao for the sellout clash.
“It motivates us so much that so many people want to come, it’s something beautiful, special, and I hope we can give them joy,” said Guijarro.
rbs/ea
© Agence France-Presse