UEFA brings together the top clubs from Europe to compete in the Champions League every year. We’re nearing the end of the season, and once again, we’ll be facing a Champions final. Seventy-two teams participated in the competition, with only two remaining to fight for the Champions League title’s ultimate crown, FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais. Except these names ring a bell from the final in 2019 in Budapest.
Lyon dominated and won the title for the sixth and third time in a row. On the other hand, Barcelona was legitimately humbled in that game. Something changed after that game, as Barcelona went on to win the title in 2021 with what can only be described as a magnificent exhibition of football.
Both teams have changed since 2019; while Barcelona wants revenge for the dominant display in Budapest, Lyon wants to win the title, which they call their own.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Olympique Lyonnais
FC Barcelona
1v1 Comparisons
*Disclaimer: The following comparison is just for tactical purposes and does not indicate a player’s abilities whatsoever. These 1v1 comparisons are based on the predicted lineups.
Goalkeepers
Christiane Endler > Sandra Paños
In this comparison, we get Endler the slight edge over Sandra Paños. Endler and Paños are basically on the same level, but Endler has some experience that the Blaugrana keeper doesn’t. Up until the last season, Endler has played with PSG, which allowed her to go up against Lyon’s likes frequently. For years, she has known how to play under pressure against a team like Lyon, which means more experience in high-intensity games. At the same time, there is a noticeable difference in Paños’ performance as well. There is better decision making from her end this season, and she has improved herself a lot compared to last season. So, while both these players are pretty equal, we give Endler’s experience a slight edge which will come in handy on Sunday.
Defenders
Ellie Carpenter = Marta Torrejón
These two players are arguably one of the most exciting defenders in comparison. They are both such different players, but they have one thing in common, the ability to break the lines and move forward. Marta Torrejón is more experienced and calm, while Ellie Carpenter is hotheaded and tends to make mistakes that can lead to more significant problems (like against Juventus). Ellie Carpenter is faster than Marta, but what works in Marta’s favour is the connection with Caroline Graham Hansen on the right-wing. It is a very even battle between these two defenders.
Irene Paredes > Wendie Renard
This is a tough one. They’re both great in the air, but against each other, we know who will win the battle for the header. While this matchup can be concluded to be an equal battle, Irene’s experience defending against Lyon during her time at PSG makes her a complete player overall. So Irene gets a slight edge over Renard.
Kadeisha Buchanan < María (Mapi) León
(Regina is trying her best to show that she is being neutral in this comparison because while discussing, her scream for ‘MAPI’ when mentioning these two players was hilarious)
While Kadeisha Buchanan has been a solid defender who won an Olympic gold medal this year with Canada, we feel Mapi is faster and more confident. Mapi has been very consistent this season (exception against Wolfsburg in the second leg), and Mapi’s overall dominant presence on the pitch makes her go above Buchanan.
Selma Bacha > Fridolina Rolfö
Fridolina Rolfö, for the most part, has been playing as a left-back at Barcelona. While she has done incredibly well, she is not a natural LB. But she gives Barcelona the chance of long shots. Selma Bacha takes this one by a long mile. Bacha can move forward but also, at the same time, defend well, which is something Rolfö struggles with a bit. Rolfö is still an attack-minded player and leaves behind a considerable space that Lyon can exploit in her quest to move forward. These players are fast, but Selma Bacha, a natural LB, takes this one away.
Midfielders
Damaris Egurrola < Patri Guijarro
Damaris is an excellent pivot for Lyon, but Patri has just been very consistent and is dominant in midfield. An advantage that could work in Lyon’s favour is that Damaris has previously played with Patri and Aitana in the Spanish underage team and is fluent in Spanish.
Catarina Macario < Aitana Bonmati
The American international is brilliant on the pitch, and her playstyle is pleasing to the eye. Still, the speed, technicality, and intense energy that Aitana brings to the pitch are simply unbeaten.
Lindsey Horan < Alexia Putellas
Alexia’s statistics this season speak for themselves. So far, Alexia has had 46 goal involvements (32 Goals scored and 14 Assists) in all competitions, which already beat her numbers from last season. However, Lindsey Horan is a physical player, and her physicality is ideally suited to exploit Barca’s weakness. Physicality can count for very little if the opposition can pass their way around and tire the player out. In Barca’s case, Alexia is comfortably capable of doing that. Physicality only lasts as long as the player can keep going, and while Lindsey Horan can keep going on the pitch, Alexia gets the upper hand here.
One of the main reasons the Barcelona midfield dominates is because the connection and communication between these three players are superior. Another thing that had us in two minds was the position of Lindsey Horan. There might be a possibility that we might see Amandine Henry instead of Horan on the pitch because of the experience she brings and her connection with her teammates.
Forwards
Delphine Cascarino = Caroline Graham Hansen
It is a relatively equal battle as Cascarino is fast and strong in attack. But for 1v1s and dribble, Graham Hansen takes it home.
Ada Hegerberg > Jenni Hermoso
Ada’s Ballon d’Or and Champions League success back up why we believe she has the edge. Jenni might be a versatile striker who can drop in deep and not be marked, but Ada’s just an all-around goal threat that Barca will have to watch.
Melvine Malard > Mariona Caldentey
These two players are relatively equal yet so different at the same time. The only reason why Malard gets the slight edge over Mariona is that Mariona has only just returned from an injury. They are so different because Mariona can switch sides, move deeper if she needs to, appear anywhere, and you cannot track her. At the same time, Malard is one lethal attacker on the pitch.
Coaches
Sonia Bompastor > Jonatan Giráldez
Sonia Bompastor takes this one due to her experience as head coach and a player, and she understands the game in two ways which is a plus for her. Jonatan, on the other hand (as Regina likes to call him, EVIL), is unpredictable, which makes him more dangerous.
Barcelona v Wolfsburg – UWCL Semi Final
To shortly describe the things that worked in Barcelona’s favour and things that did not work in their favour.
UWCL Semi-Final – First Leg, Camp Nou
Barcelona dominated the game because:
- Midfield was strong
- Patri was free and could connect with Alexia and Aitana perfectly.
- Ana-Maria Crnogorčević was the surprise factor and had a great game.
- The atmosphere at Camp Nou helped Barcelona immensely.
- Clinical and very influential on the pitch
UWCL Semi-Final – Second Leg, Volkswagen Arena
Several things went wrong for Barcelona
- The diamond formation of Wolfsburg choked the midfield.
- Not clinical or effective on the chances in the first half of the game.
- Defensive mistakes
- Miscommunication
- Mistakes in attack
- The exhaustion of the players was very clearly visible.
Lyon v Juventus – UWCL Quarter Final
UWCL Quarter Final – First Leg, Juventus Stadium
- Lyon was not clinical in the first half and missed so many chances.
- Red Card to Ellie Carpenter changed the game.
- The game needed Ada’s presence.
- Sarah Bouhaddi was not up to the mark.
UWCL Quarter Final – Second Leg, Parc Olympique Lyonnais
- Ada’s presence back in the starting 11 was influential.
- More clinical and influential
- Endler’s back in goal provided more safety
Barcelona v Lyon – UWCL Final 2019
That one dreadful final for every Barcelona fan while a glorious, dominating final for Lyon fans. UWCL finals in 2019, in a way, changed Barcelona in more ways than one.
Lyon was better in every aspect in the 2019 finals; Barcelona was the rookie. Barca was weak physically, but that aspect has undoubtedly changed as they have improved immensely. Barcelona has also altered its technical skills. Back in 2019, they seemed somewhat lost on the pitch. There were chances missed and many nerves from playing the UWCL final for the first time. Lyon had a massive advantage in terms of experience playing in the finals, and simply put, no team came close to them back then.
However, Barcelona still has the same core players in the team, which could be one added advantage that can work in their favour. In 2019, Patri was still injured, and she is crucial for the midfield. Her presence as a pivot allows Alexia and Aitana to be free and control the ball.
How can things turn out on May 21st?
Both these teams, in many ways, have changed from the 2019 finals; both have something to prove. Lyon wants to take back what is theirs, while Barcelona intends to prove that they are here to stay and that their UWCL title win last season was no coincidence.
(This is where Regina loses all sorts of diplomacy)
The key to the finals is the first 20 minutes of the game. If Barcelona can establish their game and create opportunities soon, they need to transform it into a goal. In that case, (if Barca scores early), Lyon will be forced to try and equalise, giving Barca more space. But with that said, if Barca makes critical mistakes, attack or defense at the beginning of the game, they can get nervous, and war flashbacks (2019 finals) can appear. The team needs to concentrate on the game from the beginning and capitalise early.
In previous rounds, both Barcelona and Lyon have made defensive mistakes, giving the opponent the chance to get closer. Both teams can outscore their opponents but do not have the most robust defence.
The Possible Impact of Substitutions
Barcelona has the possibility of bringing on Asisat Oshoala, Claudia Pina, Lieke Martens and many other players who could be possible game-changers. That is the squad depth Barcelona possesses. Another most noticeable problem that could hurt on the pitch is being offside. With VAR in play, there has to be zero error on Barca’s part and avoid being caught offside to capitalise on their chances.
On the other hand, Lyon would have some experienced players on the bench in Amandine Henry and Eugenie Le Sommer, looking to impact the pitch positively.
Lyon’s physicality, Barca’s weakness
Lyon will be watching back Barcelona games against Real Madrid, Wolfsburg and Atletico Madrid. It wouldn’t take much to figure out how important the midfield is for Barcelona. One easy way to silence the midfield would be tactical fouls. Barcelona struggles with physicality, the one advantage Lyon has that will indeed be used.
Another essential part of the midfield is Alexia Putellas. If she is playing well, then the team has better chances; if not, then bad news for Barca. She is the driver of this Barca team that runs the show.
Due to injuries, the left side of this Barcelona team has seen a lot of changes this season. While the Martens-Leila combination on the left was lethal last season, Pina and Rolfö have combined better this season. However, given that coach Jonatan Giráldez has been pairing Rolfö and Mariona together in the last two games, there’s a good chance we’ll see them both start.
All we know is that the final on May 21st in Turin will be spectacular, nervy, and just plain exciting. We have two Ballon d’Or players, two of the best goalkeepers, two best teams and a beautiful stage. It will undoubtedly be a close match, and the excitement is certainly building up.
As the exclusive broadcaster of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, DAZN has planned some great content in the run-up to Saturday’s final on their YouTube channel. The final will be broadcasted in ten languages, with notable presenters including pro superstar Lianne Sanderson, Arsenal legend Ian Wright, celebrated commentator Lucy Ward, and PSG midfielder and Olympic gold medalist Ashley Lawrence for the English feed; Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer Veronica Boquete for the Spanish feed; and retired footballer and current Secretary-General of the French Football Federation Laura Georges and former Lyon star Louisa Necib Cadamuro for the French feed.
Watch the UWCL final between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais on May 21st in Turin at the Juventus Stadium on DAZN’s YouTube channel and streaming platform. DAZN has also sub-licensed the rights of the final to TV broadcasters around the world. You can catch all the action on these channels: ITV in the UK and Ireland, TF1 in France, RTVE in Spain, RTBF in Belgium, SVT Sweden, plus NRK Norway, Sport5 Israel and RUV Iceland.
Kick-Off at 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET / 6:00pm GMT / 7:00pm CET
Written by Unnati Naidu and Regina Escudero
Photos by James Whitehead and Getty Images
Thanks for reading
Follow Sporting Her on social media, links below:
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
