FC Barcelona take on Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) for Europe’s most coveted crown in the Women’s Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.
This is Barça’s first ever appearance in the final of the competition, while Lyon have failed to make the final of the competition just once in the last nine years. Last season the two teams met at the quarter-final stage, with the French side winning out 3-1 on aggregate.
A potential first European title for Barça Femení would make for a spectacular conclusion to a season with overall mixed fortunes. The Catalan team finished second in the league championship to Atletico de Madrid and were knocked out by them the semi-final of the Copa de la Reina as well.
‘Our first objective was to win the league, but that hasn’t happened,’ defender Stefanie Van der Gragt explained. ‘But, now we’re in the final and it’s a dream come true. We are very excited.’
Van der Gragt recognised that Barça are facing the most dominant team in Europe over the last decade, but said her team have a good chance as ‘it’s only one game and anything can happen.’
The blaugrana made it to the final by knocking out Bavarian giants Bayern Munich in the semi-final, winning both legs 1-0 and selling out the 15,276 capacity Mini Estadi for the home leg.
Lyon, on the other hand, overcame English side Chelsea 3-2 on aggregate in their semi-final.
The final will also feature the winner of the first ever Ballon d’Or Femenín, Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg.
