All paths in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) lead to Oslo, where two powerhouses of women’s soccer, OL Lyonnes and Barcelona, clash for the fourth time in eight years on Saturday, May 23, to determine the European champion.
Historically, OL Lyonnes holds a significant advantage in their head-to-head record, leading 4-1, with three of those encounters occurring in the UWCL finals (Lyon leading 2-1). However, Barcelona secured a victory in their last matchup two years ago in Bilbao.
One of the intriguing narratives surrounding this final is head coach Jonathan Giraldez, who guided Barcelona to their first European title in 2021 and is now poised to lead OL Lyonnes against his former team, alongside his assistant from that victorious night, Pere Romeu, who has helped Barcelona reach their sixth consecutive UWCL final.
Barcelona enters the final as favorites, having swept through their opponents unbeaten, including a remarkable aggregate 12-2 victory over rivals Real Madrid. Conversely, OL Lyonnes faced challenges, needing strong second-leg performances to secure their spot against VfL Wolfsburg and Arsenal.
With both teams eager to leave their mark on the most prestigious club competition in women’s football, key tactical battles will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
Neutralize Barcelona’s Midfield
Despite concerns about its depth at the start of the season, Barcelona has lost only once (1-0 to Real Sociedad) and drawn three times, two in European play against Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Barcelona has conceded only 16 goals in total across Liga F and the UWCL while scoring over 150 themselves. However, teams that have found success against them shared a pivotal strategy: an effective midfield structure. Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert emphasized that a balance of aggression and patience is necessary when facing Barcelona’s midfield.
Successful teams such as Real Sociedad, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea deployed a five-player midfield in either a 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1 formation, focusing on a compact setup to allow double-teaming of key players like Alexia Putellas. Adopting a zonal block while applying immediate pressure when the ball enters specific areas has proven effective.
In the UWCL semifinal, Bayern successfully crowded Barcelona’s midfield in their compact 4-5-1 shape, leading Barcelona to over-rely on crosses, with the Catalans attempting 28 crosses — their highest in a single match this season.
Similarly, both Real Sociedad and Chelsea worked in a 4-1-4-1 formation, carefully guiding possession to desired areas before aggressively attempting to regain the ball. Barcelona’s reliance on their midfielders is evident, yet injuries have limited the trio of Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, and Aitana Bonmatí, with the trio starting only six matches together across Liga F and the UWCL this season.
OL Lyonnes traditionally adopts an aggressive 4-2-4 out-of-possession structure, pushing players high up the pitch, which can open gaps in the midfield. However, Giraldez could benefit from adjusting this strategy to align with approaches that have been effective against Barcelona in the past.
Capitalize on Space Behind Full-Backs
Both Barcelona and OL Lyonnes are the top two teams in average possession in the UWCL, consistently maintaining the ball in the opponent’s half. This strategy places immense pressure on the opposition and often pushes full-backs deep into enemy territory.
Barcelona is known for using full-backs in a winger-like fashion, with Esmee Brugts this season, playing a vital role in their setup. Brugts has recorded eight goal contributions (four goals, four assists) and 37 touches in the opposition box, the highest for any defender in the competition.
Similarly, OL Lyonnes’ Selma Bacha often assumes a comparable role, known for her dangerous crosses and set-piece deliveries, ranking third for chances created in the UWCL this season.
This tactical decision carries inherent risks. The high involvement of full-backs for both teams makes them susceptible to counterattacks in these areas, which has been highlighted by the fact that 77% of opposing attacking touches have come down the wings against both teams.
Moreover, 72% of OL Lyonnes’ attacking touches also occur along the flanks, indicating that they are well-positioned to exploit any vulnerabilities in Barcelona’s defense. Highlighted by goals conceded against Chelsea and Bayern Munich from quick transitions beyond their left-back, this aspect of the match will be crucial.
Make the Most of Set-Piece Opportunities
Creating chances against either side is challenging, as both rank in the lowest tiers for open play and set-piece chances allowed this season. Therefore, maximizing set-piece opportunities will be vital.
In set-piece situations, Barcelona (seven goals) and Lyon (six goals) rank first and second in the UWCL. Impressively, six of Barcelona’s goals from set-pieces have come from corners, a testament to their proficiency.
OL Lyonnes have also shown quality, generating 60 shots from set-pieces, particularly effective from corners. Center-back Wendie Renard stands out with nine headed attempts from corners, the highest this season.
Renard’s aerial prowess could play a decisive role in crucial areas. Lyon ranks among the top three for aerial win rate in the attacking third (61.1%), while Barcelona is among the bottom three in the defensive third (42.7%).
As long as Renard is on the field, OL Lyonnes possess a potent option in set-piece scenarios that Barcelona must remain vigilant against.
Adjust to Barcelona’s Left-Wing Strategy
Barcelona’s head coach has a clear first-choice lineup, with one exception: the left-wing position. This choice is crucial in how Barcelona disrupts opposing defenses based on the selected player.
The contrast between the first and second legs against Bayern was evident when winger Salma Paralluelo was preferred over Clàudia Pina.
While both Spanish internationals play similar roles, their styles differ: Pina tends to play narrowly to bolster central support, while Paralluelo stretches the defense laterally and offers options for backpost runs and crossings. This tactical shift resulted in Barcelona increasing their average sequence width from 31.8 meters with Pina to 32.4 meters with Paralluelo, giving Giraldez versatility in his approach.
Contain Melchie Dumornay
Melchie Dumornay is no longer just a rising star; she has emerged as one of the most impactful midfielders in women’s football. At 22, she was recently recognized as the best player in Ligue 1, contributing 11 goals and eight assists across the league and UWCL, tied for the highest on the OL Lyonnes roster.
The Haitian midfielder has the third most touches in the opponent’s box (65) and is a key figure during critical game moments, having assisted in the semifinal’s winning goal against Arsenal and netted critical goals against both Arsenal and Wolfsburg.
Her outstanding dribbling skills, ability to take shots from various distances, and keen vision enable her to create opportunities seemingly out of nowhere. Moreover, her tactical awareness and mature decision-making elevate her impacting performances.
Dumornay’s contributions on both ends of the pitch make her a linchpin in OL Lyonnes’ strategy. Her defensive pressure statistics, with an average of 2.4 possessions won in the attacking third, highlight her impact level. Stopping Dumornay will be a vital task for Barcelona if they hope to diminish OL Lyonnes’ offensive potency.