SETTABLOID

Barcelona players past and present have been quick to congratulate Barca Femeni on a brilliant Champions League win over Lyon on Saturday.

Jonatan Giraldez’s side won 2-0 to complete an incredible quadruple this season and ensure the Women’s team make even more history.

Lionel Messi was happy to see the team win and offered his congratulations with a post on Instagram Stories shortly after full time. Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba had a similar post that read simply: “Congratulations champions.”

Gerard Pique also took to social media with a message for Barca Femeni. He posted: “You are the best!” along with Barca’s celebratory picture of the team.

Ilkay Gundogan also sent his congrulations to the team. He wroe: “Congratulations FCB Femeni. Amazing achievement!” He was joined by Raphinha, Pedri and Inigo Martinez who also sent congratulatory messages on social media after the final whistle at San Mames.

Alexia Putellas stood on the sidelines, watching, the captain’s armband already wrapped around her left arm. For almost three years, since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament on the eve of the Euros, Putellas has spent too long doing just that: waiting, looking on, as others have shone in the spotlight. The clock in the San Mames had reached 90 minutes. Time was up.

Yet it was Putellas who arrived just at the right moment to settle this Women’s Champions League final, striking to earn Barcelona a famous first-ever victory over Lyon and a third European crown in four years. With it, Lyon’s reign may be over, an era passed. Barcelona defended their Champions League and they did it their way, a 2-0 victory over the record eight-time champions sealed by their own.

There could not have been two more popular goalscorers than Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, Barcelona’s two Ballon d’Or winners. As Putellas crashed a left-footed shot high into the net, it wasn’t just the stand behind the goal that erupted; the San Mames shook. It had done so before, as Bonmati set Barcelona on their way, but there were nerves as Lyon plotted a route back. For so long in the Women’s Champions League, Lyon were its inevitable force. Could they salvage something?

“She’s the captain of the team, she’s the queen of Barcelona for a reason,” said Lucy Bronze, shortly after becoming the first English footballer to win five European Cups. “She’s had to work really hard to get back fit, and she’s shown today why she’s a back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner.”

It added to an iconic victory for Barcelona, on the pitch and in the stands. On the eve of the final, Bonmati had spoken of the importance of their fans as Barcelona stood a game away from a historic quadruple. The culers responded, turning Bilbao into an extension of Barcelona for the day.

And if this was a home final for Barcelona, it was settled by their stars. Putellas and Bonmati are not only the best in the world, but they are theirs, too. Bonmati, the player of the match, represented what was so vital for Barcelona here: the girl from Catalonia who grew up in La Masia and plays every game for the “12th player” in the stands.

How Barcelona needed them, too. Any other team in the world may have crumbled at what the Catalans managed, invading the San Mames and turning it into their own. Lyon faced it head-on with the assurance of eight-time champions. Barcelona lacked their usual fluency at times and were made to survive what Lyon threw at them. Until the end, this was not a performance they could enjoy but was instead another example of how Barcelona have learnt to battle through it.

And the occasion, fittingly, was lit up by Bonmati, whom Barcelona needed to be everywhere and on 63 minutes found herself in the right place at the right time. Bonmati understood it, she had played the final a step ahead of everyone else, her ability evident in each turn, tackle and burst forward. She saw the space before Lyon could cover, choosing her moment of when to make the diagonal run from right to left. Facing her, the Lyon defender Vanessa Gilles invited Bonmati onto her left foot. Bonmati obliged. The shot was crisp but it was the deflection that took it away from Christine Endler, agonisingly so.

Bonmati turned away, arms outstretched. Behind her, the Sam Mames rocked. The prediction that Barcelona would fill 80 per cent of the stadium was inaccurate; it was closer to 90 per cent, with reds and blues and yellows filling every level of every section apart from the pocket of white behind one goal. The screeching jeers and whistles had begun as Lyon’s goalkeepers emerged to begin their warm-ups; by the closing stages, after the explosion Bonmati provided, it had turned to nerves until Putellas finally settled it.

Lyon had not lost a final since 2013, winning six of their eight in that spell, two of which were against Barcelona. This was the rarest of defeats, the feeling of falling short on the biggest stage. Lyon could not find a way. Ada Hegerberg was thrown on by Sonia Bompastor but could not extend her remarkable record of scoring in Champions League finals. As Bompastor now prepares to depart, Lyon may have to reflect on the end of an era. For Barcelona, theirs is only just beginning.

Barcelona ended its losing streak against Lyon to clinch its third Women’s Champions League title in four years on Saturday.

World player of the year Aitana Bonmati scored in the second half and former world player Alexia Putellas added a second deep in stoppage time for defending champion Barcelona to win 2-0 in front of a record crowd of 50,827 for a final.

Barcelona lost the two previous finals it played against the French side and all four of its previous matches against Lyon, which remains the most successful club in the women’s game with eight European trophies.

Victory gave Barcelona a quadruple of trophies: Champions league, Spanish league, Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup.

“This is what we worked so hard for,” Putellas said. “We are super happy to have won these four titles.”

Barcelona added to its Women’s Champions League titles in 2021 and 2023 in its fourth consecutive final.

“We knew we needed to be a club that made history,” Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze said. “It’s not easy, it’s hard to win it once, but to do it back to back, Lyon showed how difficult it is. This team’s finally done that. We go down in history as one of the best teams in Europe.”

The women’s triumph comes amid continued turmoil in the men’s team, which hasn’t succeeded in Europe recently and saw player great Xavi Hernandez leave as the coach on Saturday. Club president Joan Laporta, who sacked Xavi, celebrated the title with the women at the medal ceremony.

Their success follows Spain’s triumphs last year in the Women’s World Cup and the inaugural Women’s Nations League.

Felt like home match

It felt like a home match for Barcelona as its fans occupied most of the seats at San Mames Stadium in Basque Country.

It was an even match from the start, with neither team creating many significant scoring opportunities. Lyon hit the woodwork and goalkeeper Christiane Endler made easy saves at the other end.

Lyon was able to keep Bonmati in check during most of the match, but she broke through with the opening goal with a nice run into the area before firing a left-footed shot past Endler in the 63rd minute. The ball deflected off the leg of Lyon defender Vanessa Gilles. Bonmati was named the player of the match.

“Today is a historic day that we will never forget,” Bonmati said.

Putellas came off the bench in stoppage time and scored a few moments later. She celebrated by taking off her jersey and running toward the fans.

Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor, the first woman to win the Women’s Champions League as a player and coach, was trying to become the first woman to win two titles as a coach.

Lyon was playing in its 11th final in 15 seasons, and was seeking its first title since it beat Barcelona in the 2022 final. The French club also defeated Barcelona in the 2019 final. It won five titles in a row from 2016-20.

“I’m very emotional. No one likes to lose a final. You’re here to win it,” Lyon defender Danielle van de Donk said. “It’s a shame you don’t create enough. Barcelona overtook the game, and they kind of deserved the win. I’m still very proud of my team. We gave it our all. We have some regrets, of course, but hopefully next year we’re back again.”

Barcelona became the third club with three Women’s Champions League titles, behind the eight of Lyon and the four of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Barcelona edged a tense 2-0 win in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Lyon to retain their title.

The Catalan giants won the competition only 12 months ago, but Lyon remained the one team they were yet to get the better of. That all changed on Saturday in Bilbao as Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati made the difference in a nervy affair at San Mames.

Deep in stoppage time, substitute Alexia Putellas made it two to put the result beyond doubt and celebrations ensued inside the stadium. Lyon, the giants of the competition for so many years, were toppled by Barcelona at last.

How the game unfolded

It was a relatively even first half of action as Barcelona had more of the possession, but couldn’t create much with it. Lyon carved out the first major opportunity of the game following some good link up play from Melchie Dumornay and Kadidiatou Diani, but a foul was eventually awarded in Barcelona’s favour.

Caroline Graham Hansen was Barcelona’s main creative outlet in the early exchanges as she found some space down the right and picked out Fridolina Rolfo, but the eventual effort was off target. Lyon then put the pressure on as Lucy Bronze very nearly steered an attempted clearance from Selma Bacha’s effort into her own net.

Bacha was then called into action down the other end as Patricia Guijarro picked up a loose ball from Lindsey Horan and charged into the Lyon box. Her effort was parried by goalkeeper Christiane Endler and it very nearly rebounded into the back of the net, if not for a goal line clearance from Bacha.

Just after the hour mark, Bonmati showed exactly why she’s one for the big occasion as she charged past the Lyon defence and her effort from the tightest of angles deflected into the back of the net.

Diani came the closest to levelling the scoreline late on as she unleashed a shot from distance. It curled marginally wide of the top corner, but showed Lyon weren’t ready to give in just yet.

Despite six minutes of added time, Barcelona were able to hold on and see out a historic win. Substitute Putellas ensured Lyon were denied a ninth crown by adding a second right at the death.

Barcelona player ratings (4-3-3)

Barcelona celebrate after winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Lyon / ANDER GILLENEA/GettyImages

GK: Cata Coll – 6/10 – Looked pretty uncomfortable dealing with crosses into her box. Dropped one in the first half and very nearly gifted Lyon an opener. A poor clearance to put her side under pressure in the second half.

RB: Lucy Bronze – 8/10 – Some crucial defending in the opening five minutes to deny Lyon an opener after some clever play. Lucky not to concede an own goal shortly after, however. More than made up for it by a heroic defensive display in the second half.

CB: Irene Paredes – 8/10 – Vital tackle late in the first half as Dumornay looked to get a shot away. Dealt with Lyon’s late onslaught extremely well.

CB: Ingrid Engen – 8/10 – Solid defensive partnership with Paredes and showed composure late on as Lyon pushed for an equaliser.

LB: Fridolina Rolfo – 7/10 – Put a few efforts wide in the first and second half, but still looked a threat down the left. Subbed.

CM: Keira Walsh – 7/10 – In control for most of the game but her influence waned late on as Lyon pushed for an equaliser. Did enough to get the job done.

CM: Aitana Bonmati – 8/10 – Plenty of energy in the middle of the park and oozed class at times. No surprise she was the one to open the scoring in the second half.

CM: Patricia Guijarro – 7/10 – Very nearly opened the scoring in the first half but was denied by Endler. A confident and positive evening from the midfielder.

RW: Caroline Graham Hansen – 8/10 – Danced through the Lyon defence at times. Was quality on the ball and worked hard off it. Her pace caused a lot of problems for the opponents.

ST: Salma Paralluelo – 7/10 – Couple of decent sights of goal in the first hour but unable to make any of them count. Used her pace and physicality well. Subbed.

LW: Mariona Caldentey – 7/10 – Added fluidity to Barcelona’s attack as she often switched positions with Paralluelo in order to test the Lyon defence.

Substitutes

SUB: Ona Batlle (67’ for Fridolina Rolfo) – 7/10 

SUB: Esmee Brugts (84’ for Salma Paralluelo) – 7/10 

SUB: Alexia Putellas (90+2’ for Keira Walsh) – 8/10

SUB: Claudia Pina (90+2’ for Mariona Caldentey) – N/A

Subs not used: Sandra Panos (GK), Gemma Font (GK), Mapi Leon, Jana Fernandez, Marta Torrejon, Bruna Vilamala, Vicky Lopez, Martina Fernandez

Manager

Jonatan Giraldez – 8/10 – Finally cracked the Lyon code. Signed off from his European journey with Barcelona in style with a historic win. Used his substitutes well as Putellas stepped up in the dying stages of the game.

Lyon player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Christiane Endler – 6/10 – A decent stop to deny Guijarro late in the first half. Not a lot she could have done for the opener as it took a deflection.

RB: Ellie Carpenter – 6/10 – Allowed Bonmati to run through for the opening goal. Offered some threat down the right flank but wasn’t able to make her influence count.

CB: Wendie Renard – 7/10 – Struck the post early doors as Lyon displayed their threat at set pieces. Set the tone for Lyon’s defensive unit and was a calming presence at the back, especially as Barcelona dominated possession, but picked up a booking in the second half when Hansen managed to burst past her.

CB: Vanessa Gilles – 6/10 – Allowed Patri to charge into the box with the ball after Horan gave it away and it very nearly cost Lyon a goal. Bonmati’s opening goal deflected off her leg as she slid in an attempt to clear it.

LB: Selma Bacha – 7/10 – Hansen certainly had her number in the opening exchanges as the Barcelona forward was the orchestrator of a handful of chances. Cleared off the line after Guijarro’s initial shot nearly rebounded into the net. Goal-saving challenge to deny Hansen from making it two.

CM: Damaris Egurrola – 6/10 – Huge tackle to dispossess Caldentey after the Barcelona winger picked up the ball in the box. Struggled to dictate the play in the middle of the park as the opponents dominated possession.

CM: Lindsey Horan – 7/10 – Gave the ball away in a very dangerous area in the first half and was fortunate Barcelona couldn’t capitalise. Was central to a lot of Lyon’s attacking play across the 90+6 minutes.

CM: Danielle van de Donk – 6/10 – A pretty quiet game from a player that is often so influential. Subbed.

RW: Kadidiatou Diani – 7/10 – Some clever flicks and footwork when she was able to get on the ball in the first half, but was quiet for large spells. Wasn’t far off scoring an equaliser late on with an effort from distance.

ST: Melchie Dumornay – 6/10 – So close to connecting with a cross from Cascarino on the hour mark but just about missed it. Wasn’t able to influence the game and probably didn’t have enough service.

LW: Delphine Cascarino – 6/10 – An outrageous touch in the first half to bring down a cross-field pass, but was quickly crowded out by the Barcelona defenders. Looked lively at times but had little overall impact. Subbed.

Substitutes

SUB: Amel Majri (65’ for Delphine Cascarino) – 6/10 

SUB: Vicki Becho (80’ for Vanessa Gilles) – 6/10 

SUB: Ada Hegerberg (81’ for Danielle van de Donk) – 6/10

Subs not used: Feerine Belhadj (GK), Laura Benkarth (GK), Perle Morroni, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Alice Sombath, Alice Marques, Griedge Mbock

Manager

Sonia Bompastor – 6/10 – Not the ending to her time at Lyon she would’ve hoped for, if she is to complete the switch to Chelsea that has been so heavily reported. Her side had their moments, but Barcelona ultimately dominated and got the deserved result in the end

Player of the match – Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)

According to separate reports by both TZ and Diario Sport, incoming FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has set his sights on Joshua Kimmich as a potential transfer this summer. The Bayern Munich midfielder has a contract which expires in 2025, with contract negotiations yet to begin. Rumors have long been circulating that Kimmich might look for a new club either this summer or the next, and the other FCB have been longtime admirers of the 29-year-old.

With Flick now at the helm, their chances of landing a player like Kimmich seem much more realistic. However, neither report mentions the Catalan club’s financial difficulties, which were a major factor in the falling-out between Laporta and Xavi. How, exactly, is Barcelona supposed to afford a transfer fee plus wages for Kimmich, who is one of the best-paid players at Bayern Munich?

Right now, this rumor remains just that — a rumor. Still, with all the turbulence at Bayern and no signs of contract negotiations taking place, fans might have to prepare themselves for the prospect of Joshua Kimmich leaving this summer. It seems unlikely at the moment, but that’s also what we said about Robert Lewandowski — everyone knows how that turned out.

Why DID Bayern Munich pass up on the chance to bring back Hansi Flick? We discussed that very topic (as well as the entire coaching chaos at Bayern Munich) on our main podcast episode this week. Give it a listen, below or on Spotify.

As for Vincent Kompany, we’ve got you covered on that front as well. Chuck’s Weekend Warm-up gets into the details. Listen to it below (or here, if that’s your jam).

As always, we appreciate all the support!

With the La Liga season almost over, Barcelona are chalking out their plans and strategies for the summer transfer window.

One of the key issues that the Catalan heavyweights must address in the coming weeks is the future of the plethora of players currently out on loan.

Indeed, the Blaugrana have a number of stars away on loan who will be returning to the club once the campaign is over.

Eric Garcia addresses future

One such player whose future needs addressing is defender Eric Garcia. The Barcelona defender has enjoyed a solid season on loan at Girona, helping them finish in the top four and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Following Girona’s 7-0 win over Granada, during which he scored, the Catalan club’s fans serenaded the defender and urged him to stay.

The famed Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan will play host to Barcelona’s final game of the 2023-24 season on Sunday. Travelling to Seville, the Catalans have a stiff challenge ahead of them, though the result will not count for much.

Having secured their place as runners-up in La Liga with a win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend, the Catalans have nothing to lose against Sevilla. The game, however, will be important for reasons that transcend the points table.

The club are preparing to embrace change in June, and tomorrow’s clash will be all about closing the current chapter on a positive note.

They head to Seville with a good record at the venue and will look to carry forward their ongoing three-game unbeaten streak at Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Sevilla vs Barcelona.

Xavi’s final act

“Stability is a maxim in successful projects, especially for this one,” Joan Laporta said in a press conference just over a month ago, justifying his decision to persist with Xavi as the manager of the first team and maintaining faith in the tactician.

One month later, Barcelona are once again preparing for their final game under Xavi. The manager did indeed cave into Laporta’s requests for him to continue as coach, only to be sacked by the club president less than 30 days later.

The board’s management of the situation can only be described as disrespectful, more so as it concerns a legend of the club who always placed Barcelona over personal gains.

Xavi indeed deserved a better farewell, but the Catalans club seem to have found a knack for pulling off shambolic departures for club legends.

The Spanish tactician displayed no signs of resentment towards the board in his press conference and accepted Laporta’s decision with grace. Tomorrow will be the last time Xavi manages the team, in this stint at least, and he deserves to leave on a high.

Barcelona’s clash against Sevilla may bear no direct consequences on the season, but it will go down in history as the end of an era. The players, thus, must push to send off the club legend with a fitting result and a night of smiles.

The end of a roller-coaster ride

The 2023-24 campaign has been mixed for Barcelona and can only be described as a roller-coaster. From the highs of dominating PSG in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal to the lows in El Clasico, the team have seen it all.

The start of the campaign from Xavi’s side was subpar, and it did not take long for Girona and Real Madrid to establish a sizeable lead at the top of the table. The manager’s announcement of his departure early in the year, however, turned the tables.

Nobody can deny the fact that Barcelona looked heavily motivated after Xavi announced his departure as they went on a 13-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. At one point, a place in the UCL final and a chance to return to the title race appeared in sight.

Two consecutive defeats to PSG and Real Madrid, however, derailed the team’s campaign once more. While the first defeat can be attributed to a rookie red card, El Clasico saw the team concede a stoppage-time winner.

At no point in the season did Barcelona look like legitimate title contenders, but the campaign did bring out numerous gems from La Masia in Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Fermin Lopez.

The roller-coaster of 2023-24 finally comes to an end tomorrow as the team take to the field one last time this season. Finishing on a high, needless to say, would do a world of good to the dressing room.

A night of uncertain farewells

The coming summer transfer window was always expected to be one with numerous high-profile moves at Barcelona, and the appointment of a new manager almost ascertains the involvement of many departures in June.

Hansi Flick’s arrival will likely trigger a new round of filtering in the Catalan capital and could see some big names leave the club.

Tomorrow, thus, will be the last time quite a few players don the Blaugrana colours but both fans and the dressing room do not know which names will be on the departure list. The night, thus, will be one of uncertain farewells.

For some like Marcos Alonso and Oriol Romeu, it is almost certain that tomorrow will be the last time they don the Azulgrana colours. Others, like Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, appear closer to the exit door than staying.

It is, however, names like Ronald Araujo and Raphinha that the spotlight will shine the brightest on tomorrow.

With a big sale a necessity at this point, it will certainly be the last time at least one of these aforementioned names plays as a Blaugrana.

The Xavi era at Barcelona is no more, as after weeks of speculation, the Blaugrana have indeed decided to go back to their original decision and let go of the club legend as their manager.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco have reportedly convinced Xavi to stay on as the manager of the club, which may have something to do with the fact that most of the top options are no longer available.

Earlier this season, amidst intense pressure from supporters and from within the club after a string of negative results, Xavi agreed to resign from Barcelona at the end of the season.

Over the past several weeks, there’s been a change in the winds, with Laporta trying hard to convince Xavi to stay. Even after the embarrassing 4-1 loss to PSG in the Champions League quarterfinals at the Camp Nou, Xavi will be remaining in Barcelona.

The legendary midfielder has reportedly been given assurances of optimism that Barcelona will be able to spend a euro for every euro they generate again, providing the manager with the transfer resources he needs this summer.

Now, Catalunya Radio’s Ramon Salmurri reports there is optimism within Barcelona that the club will sign Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, who has been recruited by countryman João Félix.

Barcelona are looking to claim successive UEFA Women’s Champions League crowns when they face Lyon in the final this Saturday.

The Catalan giants clash with the record European champions in Bilbao looking to avenge two previous final defeats at the hands of the French side. Lyon have won the tournament eight times in the past, with 4-1 and 3-1 victories over Barca in the 2019 and 2022 finals respectively.

Barca beat Wolfsburg in the final last year and edged past Emma Hayes’ Chelsea in this season’s semi-finals, while Lyon conquered French rivals Paris Saint-Germain over the course of two final four battles. Both clubs have won their domestic titles at a canter, with the weekend match-up a tantalising affair.

Here is 90min’s guide to this Saturday’s Champions League final.

What time does Barcelona vs Lyon kick-off?

• Location: Bilbao, Spain
• Stadium: San Mames Stadium
• Date: Saturday 25 May
• Kick-off Time: 17:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 PT
• Referee: Rebecca Welch (ENG)
• VAR: Stuart Attwell (ENG)

Barcelona vs Lyon H2H Record (Champions League)

• Barcelona: 0 wins
• Lyon: 4 wins
• Draws: 0

• Last meeting: Barcelona 1-3 Lyon (21 May 2022) – Champions League final

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Barcelona vs Lyon on TV and live stream

Barcelona team news

Barca have close to a full squad available, with only Mapi Leon unlikely to play due to a meniscus injury. However, the defender has still been included in the traveling squad.