The two juggernauts of women’s football will go head-to-head on Saturday as Barcelona take on Lyon for the 2024 edition of the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Bilbao.
Lyon have won the competition eight times and are the most decorated side in its history, while Barcelona have recently risen to the top of the women’s game and have enjoyed great success in recent years. It has become one of the biggest ongoing rivalries and this will be the third meeting between the two in the European final in the last six years.
Both teams boast world-class talent and both have already clinched silverware this season with their respective league titles.
90 min take a look at how Saturday’s competition can be won and lost…
Aitana Bonmati, Patri Guijarro, Lindsey Horan… those are some of the talents these teams have between them in the middle of the park. In a game often decided by large margins, controlling the midfield will be key to whoever comes out on top.
Whether it’s forcing you to take possession, or staying together enough to make sure the opposition has no way through – both sets of midfielders will need to be at 100 percent.
Aston Villa and France star Kenza Dali has highlighted the importance of Lyon midfielders Damaris Egurrola and Horan to the reigning French champions.
“The balance of Lyon, when Damaris plays, he makes a big difference,” said Dali.
“I’m a big fan of Horan. He’s the biggest player in the USA. Everyone’s talking about him. [Megan] Rapinoe again [Alex] Morgan, but we will remember what Lindsey did. He can fit into any team.”
Barcelona themselves are not short of world-class talent and, as a midfielder himself, Dali can fully appreciate the importance of the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, Aitana Bonmati. Crucial to both club and country, there are few players in the world currently working at Spain international level.
“It’s fun to watch,” continued Dali. “Unbelievable player. Everything I like in a player, he has it.”
In a game that has the potential to go to overtime or even penalties, the one who finishes well is just as, if not more important than the one who starts on top. How both managers use their bench to turn the game on its head will be crucial.
Interestingly, Sonia Bompastor and Jonathan Giraldez may be able to turn to former Ballon d’Or winners if necessary. Alexia Putellas, who signed a new contract with Barcelona this week, is used to being used on the bench this season and it is possible that the final will be different.
Vicky Losada, who has played alongside Puellas at both club and country, expects the 30-year-old to make a significant impact at the position.
“He is very important. When you see him, you see Barca,” said the Brighton midfielder before the final. I don’t know if we will see him start, but he will definitely come. There are a lot of good players on the Barcelona bench.”
Lyon have a chance to change the game itself in Ada Hegerberg, who has suffered her share of injuries in recent years. The 28-year-old has scored 20 goals in all competitions for his club this season, but has been benched in recent weeks.
He was an unused substitute against Paris Saint-Germain last Friday, so his availability would be a huge boost for the Lyon manager.
As eight-time winners of the competition, most recently in 2022, it’s fair to say Lyon know indeed needed to get over the line in games of such magnitude. Wendie Renard, in particular, was part of the team that won the club’s first Champions League trophy in 2011, even scoring in the final against German side Turbine Potsdam.
The 33-year-old defender has been part of Lyon’s success for more than a decade and is one of the key figures in their winning mentality.
Lyon’s experience was on full display in the semi-finals of the competition when they faced local rivals Paris Saint-Germain. Bompastor’s side were 2-0 down after 50 minutes in the first leg at home, however three goals in six minutes from his side turned the goal on its head.
Lyon took a 3-2 lead at the Parc de Princes and comfortably won 2-1 to reach another Champions League final. Knowing that his team has something that the manager knows is irreplaceable.
“When you have a lot of European campaigns and finals under your belt, it obviously helps you approach these programs with confidence and a level head,” Bompastor said. he told UEFA TV this week.
“You also know what challenges you will face because the final is never an easy game. It is clear that he will face a formidable opponent. Because of this you have to dig deep to be able to get this title. It’s the best tournament you can play as a club player.”
It is not the first time the two teams have met at this stage of the competition, having participated in the final in 2019 and 2022 – Lyon winning both times. Twice the Barcelona players watched their European rivals lift the title, while the runners-up medals were tied around their necks, and they will be determined not to let it happen a third time.
The Catalan giants are currently in charge of the competition after defeating Wolfsburg in last season’s exhibition game in Eindhoven. They also beat Emma Hayes’ Chelsea in 2021 to win their first Champions League title.
However, Lyon remains an obstacle for us to overcome. In 2019 and 2022, the decline could be the result of overconfidence due to domestic success, lack of experience in the face of adversity, or an inability to match the physicality of their opponents – perhaps it was a mixture of all three.
This year, Barcelona look better equipped to deal with anything Lyon throws at them. Their return to the semi-final against Chelsea over two legs proves that, as did their return to the final last season against Wolfsburg.
“We have confidence in being an experienced team,” said Giraldez UEFA TV. “We are a team that has been growing a lot, not only in domestic competitions, in international competitions, but also in the national team, of course; players have more experience.
“It will be a competitive final and the fans will enjoy it because it will be a very exciting game.
Kenza Dali and Vicky Losada will be attending the House of WePlayStrong event in Bilbao on the morning of the UEFA Women’s Champions League final. UEFA’s PlayStrong campaign is dedicated to celebrating and promoting women’s football across Europe. The House of WePlayStrong will include a variety of activities, speakers, and interactive experiences throughout the day.
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