11 min: Hansen receives the ball on the right and sends a threatening cross into the box. Paralluelo can’t get there in time, but Rolfö makes a run in behind at the back post. The left-back attempts an awkward first-time shot, but her effort just misses the target.
10 min: Caldentey attempts to create an opportunity by crossing the ball into the penalty area, but Endler is able to collect.
9 min: San Mamés is absolutely rocking! It’s been a fairly even game so far with both sides seeking a breakthrough.
6 min: Barcelona head straight down to the other end as Hansen carries the ball into the box. She sends a pass to Paralluelo, who goes for goal, but it’s an easy save for Endler.
5 min: Huge chance for Lyon! Dumornay sets the ball to Diani on the edge of the box. The winger cuts inside before squaring it across goal, but Bronze gets in front of Cascarino to make an outstanding tackle!
4 min: Paredes is able to play on for now, much to the relief of Giráldez and the Barcelona fans.
2 min: Barcelona play the ball around the back, but Paredes goes to ground holding her ankle following a challenge from Dumornay. The defender appears to be in some pain here.
We’re under way at San Mamés!
Before we begin, don’t forget you can email in with all your thoughts, feelings and predictions. I’ll be here with you throughout!
The atmosphere is absolutely electric in Bilbao. For the final time this season we are about to hear the UEFA Women’s Champions League anthem. Here we go!
Few teams have thwarted Barcelona in their ruthless prime, but the Champions League is Lyon’s playground. The French champions have beaten Barcelona in two Champions League finals, have never lost to them in the competition and hope to complete a hat-trick of final victories against them today.
Barcelona manager Jonatan Giráldez on today’s match: “For me, Barça and Lyon are the two best teams in Europe, without any doubt, because of the individual quality both teams have. If you analyse player by player, there’s certainly little to choose from.
“It will be a fun final, with two quality starting line-ups and great subs on the bench who can help a lot. Plus, of course, from the sidelines, both Sonia and I will have our tools to try and have an entertaining final, which, hopefully, will favour Barça.”
Lyon manager Sonia Bompastor on today’s match: “They [Barcelona] don’t concede too many goals. We know it will be a great challenge for us, and we know they have a lot of experience in this competition but also in the Champions League final itself.
“It will be a tight game and every detail will matter, so it will be up to us to make this game go in our favour. But we expect a very difficult match against a very tough club and a wonderful team.”
Lyon could give Sonia Bompastor a fairytale farewell this evening. The manager is rumoured to be leaving France this summer to replace USA-bound Emma Hayes at Chelsea. Her move to London is expected to be announced following today’s final. Bompastor’s assistant Camille Abily is also set to join her.
Barcelona manager Jonatan Giráldez spoke exclusively to The Guardian last week about today’s final, his competitive nature and waving goodbye to the team he has been with for the last five years.
Barcelona ended Emma Hayes’ dreams of a fairytale ending at Chelsea last month when they beat the London side 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Chelsea led 1-0 going into the second leg, but a controversial match at Stamford Bridge saw the fixture completely turned on its head. Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Aitana Bonmatí equalised midway through the first half, but Chelsea’s hopes of retaking the lead were dashed when Kadeisha Buchanan was sent off following a contentious second yellow. In another blow for the Blues, Barcelona were awarded a penalty with just over 15 minutes to play and Fridolina Rolfö calmly slotted the ball past Hannah Hampton to seal the win.
As for Lyon, they pipped Paris Saint-Germain to the final in a goal fest across two legs. After going 2-0 down in the first leg, Sonia Bompastor’s side completed a dramatic late comeback with three goals in six minutes to take the lead. The second half was slightly more comfortable, with Delphine Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani giving Lyon a two-goal advantage within the opening 20 minutes. Tabitha Chawinga popped up with a consolation for PSG, but it was too little too late.
Barcelona starting XI: Cata Coll; Lucy Bronze, Irene Paredes, Ingrid Engen, Fridolina Rolfö; Aitana Bonmatí, Keira Walsh, Patri Guijarro; Mariona Caldentey, Caroline Graham Hansen, Salma Paralluelo. Substitutes: Sandra Paños, Gemma Font, Mapi León, Jana Fernández, Clàudia Pina, Marta Torrejón, Alexia Putellas, Bruna Vilamala, Ona Batlle, Esmee Brugts, Vicky López, Martina Fernández.
Lyon starting XI: Christiane Endler; Ellie Carpenter, Vanessa Gilles, Wendie Renard, Selma Bacha; Damaris Egurrola, Lindsey Horan, Daniëlle van de Donk; Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay, Delphine Cascarino. Substitutes: Féerine Belhadj, Laura Benkarth, Alice Marques, Griedge Mbock, Perle Morroni, Alice Sombath, Amel Majri, Dzsenifer Marozsán, Vicki Bècho, Ada Hegerberg.
Hello and welcome to coverage of the Women’s Champions League final. Barcelona and Lyon come face to face once again this evening in what is set to be another showpiece event. Current holders Barcelona will be desperate to retain their title under the lights in Bilbao, but they face an old nemesis in Lyon. The French side have defeated their Spanish counterparts in the final twice in five years, first winning 4-1 in 2019 and then cruising to a 3-1 victory in 2022.
This is Barcelona’s fourth successive Champions League final, will it be their second successive win? Or will Lyon clinch a record-extending ninth title?
Kick-off is at 5pm BST – I’ll be with you all evening!
Source: theguardian.com
