Romeu-Giráldez duel on the benches, reunions, farewells, rematches, and a crown at stake. The clash between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes this afternoon at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo promises to be one of the most thrilling of all time. It has all the ingredients to be one of those that go down in history, and Barça wants to engrave its name on its fourth continental crown. Against their archrival, who wants to become that Lyon that once terrified Europe again. The one with eight Champions in its trophy cabinet, seeking in Oslo the first since Michele Kang took ownership of the French giant.
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There is no better setting, in Norway, the cradle of women’s football in Europe, just meters from where blaugrana Caroline Graham Hansen grew up. “Having the best players in the world and the two best teams in Europe face off in my country will be inspiring for the new generations,” she said emotionally.
In women’s football, accustomed to great favorites and lopsided scores, the final between Catalans and French teams comes without a clear prediction. It will be the closest in recent years, and the unanimity at Barça is total: “It will be a 50-50 final.” “Previous finals will not influence this one,” assured Alexia Putellas about the most repeated final in Champions history. For the Barça captain, “this is the final where the two teams are most evenly matched, not in style, but in quality.” “I understand the talk about our rivalry because both of us say our goal is to win everything, and this trophy, except for last year, has always been between the two of us in recent years.”
And despite everything, Wendie Renard surprised everyone by proclaiming to the world press the blaugrana favoritism: “Barça is the favorite. It is a great team with world-class players. May the best win.” It is telling that the veteran captain of the French side, with eleven finals behind her and eight titles in her record, openly acknowledged the blaugrana superiority. The first battle, morale, was won.
This is the final where the two teams are most evenly matched, not in style, but in quality
Alexia Putellas
Jonatan Giráldez later acknowledged that “due to the history of recent years, Barça has taken all the spotlight,” but assured that “it is a very close final” with “two teams with very high-level squads.” Pere Romeu also avoided favoritism: “It’s a final, and many things can happen. We leave favoritism to the press. No labels: performance, humility, and teamwork to lift the Cup.”
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In Oslo, master and disciple will meet again. If anything can mark this final, it will be the tactical battle between two old acquaintances. The current blaugrana coach grew up at Barça under Jonatan Giráldez’s guidance. “It was a good time. We didn’t know each other before, and it allowed me to be part of the team’s decisions. We have both learned things from each other,” Romeu said.
The Galician faces his former team two years after his departure, much more mature after his time in the American league (Washington Spirit) and the French league (OL Lyonnes). “I have a very good relationship with Pere. He has done a great job, especially this season with so many youth players. I am very happy for him,” he assured.
Barça has different players but has not changed its identity
Jonatan Giráldez
It will be key who reads the game better and who adapts better to the surprises the opponent presents. Barça cannot allow itself to be surprised again as Bayern did at the Allianz. “We have several scenarios prepared, and decisions will have to be made depending on how the game goes. We must dominate all game contexts and manage emotions,” Pere Romeu assured. Both Alexia Putellas and the blaugrana coach highlighted the maturity the team has gained this year: “We have grown a lot, have more adaptability to different game contexts, and the young players have evolved a lot.” Giráldez knows he will face a Barça with different players but with the same essence: “Its identity has not changed.”
Without Aitana ready to start, the doubt will be who will accompany Patri Guijarro and Alexia in midfield. Although bench management could be key against a Lyon with more depth. Who will take the final? The master or the disciple?
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