Eight-time winners Lyon face defending champions Barcelona in a tantalizing Champions League final on Saturday in Bilbao, pitting the established elite against the new powerhouse of women’s football.
After Lyon dominated the competition for almost a decade, Barcelona emerged to shake up the status quo, although they never overcame the French team.
The Catalans are looking for revenge after their 2019 and 2022 final defeats to Lyon, with Sonia Bompastor’s side looking to reclaim the throne that has been theirs for so long and put Barça back in their place.
The Spanish giants have won the competition twice in three seasons and if they put an end to the confusion against Lyon they will establish themselves as the dominant force in modern football.
Lyon scored four goals against Barcelona in 30 minutes in the 4-1 victory in the 2019 final and three goals in the 33rd minute in the 2022 final, which they won 3-1.
Barcelona also fell two goals behind in last season’s final, although they recovered to beat Wolfsburg 3-2.
“We can’t start like we did the last few times. If you do that, you’ll be rowing against him,” said midfielder Patri Guijarro, who scored twice against the Germans.
Lyon sealed their 17th French league title in 18 seasons last weekend, also lifting the country’s Champions trophy.
Barcelona are hoping to complete a remarkable quadruple at San Mames, following triumphs in League F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup.
Victory would be a perfect last gasp for both coaches, with Bompastor set to replace Emma Hayes at Chelsea while Barça coach Jonatan Giraldez is taking charge of US NWSL side Washington Spirit.
Lyon are unbeaten in the competition this season, while Barcelona lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea in the first leg of the semi-finals.
“We know that all our rivals want to take down Olympique Lyonnais, so they are always very motivated,” said Bompastor.
“Although we have a lot of respect for this Barcelona team, we know that with our experience and our qualities, we are capable of winning this game.”
Lyon have the Champions League’s all-time top female goalscorer in their ranks, Ada Hegerberg, along with veteran stars such as Wendie Renard, who has played in all 10 of Lyon’s finals.
– ‘The two most talented teams’ –
Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze won the Champions League three times with Lyon between 2018-2020 and praised the mentality of the experienced French team.
“Ultimately, the core of the team is the same…they still have that mentality,” Bronze said.
“A team like Lyon, for years and years, will always have that mentality of wanting to be European champions… I know that from being there.”
Bronze said determination was a key factor in the success of Lyon and, recently, Barcelona.
“That’s probably why only Lyon and Barça in recent history have gotten over the line and won the trophy,” Bronze continued.
“The two most talented teams in Europe in the last 10 years and both with the mentality of wanting to win and having the desire to win.”
Bronze said that in recent years Barcelona have gained the experience needed to finally turn the tide against the French giants.
“We know we are good enough to beat them, Barça have always had enough talent to match Lyon, Lyon have probably just had more experience in the past,” she explained.
“That’s changed a bit now, two (triumphs) in the Champions League, four finals for this team, lots of World Cup winners too.”
Barcelona have Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati and two-time World Cup winner Alexia Putellas, who won the World Cup with Spain last year.
With Caroline Graham Hansen in excellent form and talent spread throughout the team, Barcelona fans will believe they can finally defeat Lyon.
While the French side defeated Paris Saint-Germain to win the title in a half-empty stadium, Barcelona are heavily supported and will have well over 10,000 fans in Bilbao for the sold-out clash.
“It really motivates us that so many people want to come, it’s something beautiful, special and I hope we can give them joy,” said Guijarro.
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