Barcelona claim throne as Europe’s dominant women’s football force
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Barcelona's Alexia Putellas lifts the trophy as she celebrates winning the Champions League with teammates.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BILBAO – For years Barcelona have looked up at Lyon, the established elite at the top of women’s football, working intensely to surpass them.
The Catalan side finally avenged final defeats by the French giants in 2019 and 2022 on May 25 in Bilbao, beating their opponents 2-0 to lift the Women’s Champions League for the third time.
They still trail Lyon’s all-time record of eight, but there is no doubt Barcelona are now the dominant force in Europe.
With back-to-back Champions League triumphs, three in four years, and five finals in the last six, they reign supreme.
Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas scored the goals at the San Mames stadium. The pair, who own the last three Ballons d’Or Feminin, also have a vast array of talent in support.
The Barcelona squad includes not only overseas stars such as Englishwoman Lucy Bronze, formerly of Lyon, and Norwegian Caroline Graham Hansen, but also quality home-grown players.
Their youth academy is creating potential stars in a way made possible by earlier investment in women’s football.
Beating Lyon was one of the few challenges left for Barcelona, along with completing the quadruple, after winning the treble in 2022-23. They did both before 50,827 fans, a record Women’s Champions League final attendance.
If it was a changing of the guard, Barcelona – winners of this season’s Supercopa de Espana, Liga F, Copa de la Reina and now the Champions League – were reluctant to admit it.
“Eight Champions Leagues is a lot of Champions Leagues,” insisted their departing coach Jonatan Giraldez.
“What I like is living in the present moment. We had some room to improve from last year, we didn’t win the Copa de la Reina (then). History will tell if we are one of the best teams, or if it’s Olympique Lyon.”
The coach, who is joining American side Washington Spirit, added: “In years, this Barca will be put into perspective, but today is a day to enjoy.”
Bonmati also did not encourage talk of the club’s dominance. “Obviously today we are champions of Europe for another year, (but) Lyon are still a great team,” the Barcelona playmaker said. “Next year we have to compete again, we have to prove it every year.”
Meanwhile, Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor said Barcelona’s “passion” was something other teams could learn from and that it “made a difference” in the final.
“The reality is that Barcelona have taken two consecutive trophies as European champions,” said the 43-year-old, who is set to replace Emma Hayes at Chelsea.
“Their dynamic is extremely positive, not just because of their results but because they have so many supporters in the stadium. We need to be inspired by that.” AFP
