UWCL: OL Lyonnes vs...

Damaris Egurrola, the OL Lyonnes midfielder, is excited about the chance to face FC Barcelona once more in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on Saturday, May 23.

This Saturday evening, the eight-time European champions will face the formidable FC Barcelona in the UWCL final.

Since joining the team in 2021, Egurrola has aimed to share her top-level experience with the younger players on the squad.

After winning the UWCL in her first full season with the club, the 26-year-old is focused on ‘enjoying the moment’ and hopes to inspire the younger players to follow her path.

“I remember my first final; many experienced players told me to ‘enjoy the week leading up to the final,’” Egurrola shared with the media ahead of the match. “That’s what I’m trying to do now and pass on to the new players who may not have as much experience because this entire week is a unique and beautiful experience.”

OL Lyonnes Building on Previous Encounters with FC Barcelona

Since her debut for OL Lyonnes, the Dutch international has participated in two finals against the Spanish team.

In 2021/22, the club secured their eighth European title with a commanding 3-1 victory over FC Barcelona. However, they weren’t able to achieve a similar result two years later in Bilbao, where goals from Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí contributed to their victory.

Egurrola admits she prefers not to dwell on past finals but recognizes that the team was not at their “best level” in 2022, which hindered their ability to compete physically with the Spanish team.

“We didn’t win our 50-50 duels, and that’s crucial in a final,” she explained.

However, the current OL Lyonnes team is different, and Egurrola believes this could be the key to their success.

“We’re fortunate to have an amazing squad this year,” she remarked. “With many talented new players, a blend of experienced individuals who’ve been here longer, and a new coach and staff brings fresh ideas.”

‘We Deserve to Be in the Final’

OL Lyonnes is a club synonymous with success in the competition, and their eight titles speak for themselves. Egurrola noted the winning mentality she noticed immediately upon joining the club.

“From the first day I arrived in Lyon, it was the first thing I heard,” she said of the UWCL. “You can feel it in every training session, even during a warm-up or a basic rondo; everyone is fully committed, thinking about that trophy and the beautiful moments it will bring.”

She describes the experience of lifting the trophy as “unbelievable,” and the team hopes to replicate that feeling in just a few days.

“Reaching the final doesn’t happen every year. We wish it could, but the competition is fierce. We’re lucky to be here, so we have to enjoy this moment,” she reflected.

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A Final for the Fans

This match, featuring two of the biggest names in women’s football, is expected to draw significant viewership. With a stadium capacity of over 27,000, tickets for the final have unsurprisingly sold out.

Remarkably, the initial 18,000 tickets released for the event sold out in under 30 minutes. Egurrola recognizes the intense fan interest in this rivalry.

“I believe it’s an exciting game for fans to watch. Lyon versus Barcelona in the final is one of the most appealing matchups,” she stated. “Everyone knows the history, and Barcelona has been performing excellently in recent years, making it one of the best matches to anticipate.”

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When asked if it’s easier to defeat Barcelona in a one-off match, the midfielder chose to remain diplomatic.

“A final is distinct from semi-finals or quarter-finals. We need to be as prepared as possible and give our best effort because we’ve worked diligently to reach this stage and aim for a successful final,” she concluded.

Jonatan Giráldez’s Impact on OL Lyonnes

Giráldez took the reins last summer after a brief stint in the National Women’s Soccer League with Washington Spirit.

Egurrola feels fortunate to have the two-time Champions League winning manager at the helm.

“We’ve changed many aspects as a team since the start of the season, implementing different ideas he has for us. For games like these, we’re lucky to have his wealth of experience, especially understanding what our opponents [Barcelona] have done for so long—his knowledge of every detail is undeniably beneficial for us,” she commented.

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The concepts she mentioned include having solid depth in midfield, allowing the club to execute a possession-oriented game and effectively pressure opponents when they lose the ball.

“Regardless of who plays, everyone is ready to give their best when they come in or start. I believe that’s what leads to the best moments in a season, putting a team in finals and winning trophies. The more connected we are as a squad, the greater our chances of making a difference,” she added.

How to Watch the UWCL Final

Viewers can tune into the UEFA Women’s Champions League final live on Disney+ as part of their existing subscriptions.

The match will kick off at 5 PM (BST) and will also be available on BBC Two and iPlayer for viewers in the UK.

UWCL: OL Lyonnes vs…