Final preview, schedule, and how to watch FC Barcelona vs OL Lyonnes

One game stands between two giants of women’s football becoming European champions once again on Saturday (23 May).

With another gruelling season in the books, the UEFA Women’s Champions League will draw the curtain on a thrilling campaign with a fitting finale between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes.

The latter are the most successful side in the competition’s history with eight honours, while the former – after clinching their first title in 2020-21 – aim to reclaim the throne with a fourth.

It will be the fourth European final contested between the two teams, Lyonnes twice the victors but Barça roared to success in the most recent meeting during the 2023-24 final.

As the last outing on this stage nears, here is everything you needed to know ahead of a blockbuster showdown in Oslo, Norway.

How La Masia, an unmistakable identity, and the world’s best players fuel FC Barcelona’s quadruple charge

FC Barcelona’s road to the final, key players to watch

Here’s how Barça booked their spot in a sixth consecutive European final:

League Phase

FC Barcelona 7-1 Bayern Munich

AS Roma 0-4 FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona 3-0 OH Leuven

Chelsea 1-1 FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona 3-1 Benfica

Paris FC 0-2 FC Barcelona

Quarter-final

Real Madrid 2-6 FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona 6-0 Real Madrid

Semi-final

Bayern Munich 1-1 FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona 4-2 Bayern Munich

Barça have always been able to rely on an impressive squad depth to help them compete across all four competitions they contest, and this season’s Champions League outing has been no different. Unsurprisingly, Alexia Putellas was at the forefront of an impressive campaign. With eight goals and six assists in Europe alone, she has been the most effective player in front of goal, stepping up in what could potentially be her final season with the Catalan club. Claudia Pina and Ewa Pajor have also been standout performers, though fans will be relishing the chance to see Aitana Bonmatí back on the pitch after she made her return from injury in their second-leg semi-final win over Bayern.

OL Lyonnes’ road to the final, key players to watch

Here’s how Lyonnes booked their spot in a 12th European final:

League Phase

Arsenal 1-2 OL Lyonnes

OL Lyonnes 3-0 St. Pölten

OL Lyonnes 3-1 Wolfsburg

Juventus 3-3 OL Lyonnes

Man Utd 0-3 OL Lyonnes

OL Lyonnes 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Quarter-final

Wolfsburg 1-0 OL Lyonnes

OL Lyonnes 4-0 Wolfsburg

Semi-final

Arsenal 2-1 OL Lyonnes

OL Lyonnes 3-1 Arsenal

OL Lyonnes are a squad filled with world-class players. It has been a marker of their success in the women’s game – if they’re not buying superstars, they’re making them. What their recruitment team seem to get right is that crucial balance between experience and budding talents. From stalwart defender Wendie Renard holding down the fort at the back or Lindsey Heaps controlling the game in the middle of the park, they’ve relied on some big names to bring calm on this stage. Meanwhile, players like Lily Yohannes (18) who plays beyond her years, or Melchie Dumornay (22) who is their leading scorer in the competition, have given them an edge when it mattered the most. A squad brimming with real star quality makes a worthy opponent in the final of the biggest competition in the sport.

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