Barcelona meets OL Lyonnes in clash of dynasties in Women's Champions League final

Dynasties of European soccer past and present meet in the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday. Barcelona against OL Lyonnes in Oslo will be the fourth time in eight seasons the modern powers have played for the European title, and the first since Lyon was rebranded by owner Michele Kang . In the new Champions League format, they tied on points atop the 18-team standings in December.

Both teams also are unbeaten in domestic competitions this season, both chasing a quadruple of trophies. “The two greatest teams probably of all time,” said UEFA director of women’s football Nadine Kessler, herself a three-time Champions League winner before Lyon started a run of five straight titles in 2015. It is Barcelona’s sixth straight final — and seventh in eight years — in an era shaped by their great attacking midfielders Aitana Bonmatí and Alèxia Putellas.

Lyon returns still with talismanic players Wendie Renard and Ada Hegerberg , respectively the captain and hat trick scorer when Barcelona was beaten 4-1 in the 2019 final. There is an extra layer of intrigue in the dugouts among teams that know each other so well. Lyon coach Jonatan Giráldez won back-to-back Champions League titles at Barcelona when its current coach, Pere Romeu, was among his assistants.

Overcomes squad cuts Barcelona is back in the final one year after being denied an expected three-peat by a 1-0 win for Arsenal . The season started in some turmoil with squad cuts enforced as part of wider financial issues to help the club meet limits set by the men’s La Liga. On the field, it was domination again.