Barcelona vs. Lyon: how to watch UEFA Women’s Champions League final online, TV channel, odds, prediction

The constant evolution of women’s football will be central on Saturday Barcelona take on Lyon in the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Lyon, Europe’s most talented side with eight UWCL titles, return to the showcase match for the first time since 2022, when they defeated Barcelona 3-1 on their way to the podium. That match was a rare occurrence in recent years for Barcelona, ​​which has emerged as the team to beat in Europe with two Champions League titles in three years. Reigning champion Barcelona is almost here the symbol of the rapid growth of women’s football in Europe, with heavy investment in recent years to build a huge business full of World Cup winners.

For Lyon, their latest appearance in the UWCL final signals that they are keeping pace with the new world order in women’s football. Their historically heavy investment hasn’t stopped, especially after MedTech billionaire Michele Kang took over the club a year ago while building a network of women’s soccer clubs, including the NWSLs. Washington spirit.

The circumstances ensured that a final would undoubtedly feature some of the best players in the world and serve as yet another showcase for women’s football. Here’s what you need to know before you tune in.

How to watch and odds

• Date: Saturday May 25 | Time: 12:00 PM ET
• Place: San Mames Stadium — Bilbao, Spain
• Live stream: DAZN
• Chances: Barcelona-300; Sign +370; Lyon +650

How they got here

Barcelona: The reigning champions have made it through most of the competition this season, first by beating Group A. They remained undefeated, beating their opponents 27 games to five, only dropping points on the final day of the group stage in a dramatic 4-4 draw with Benfica that would do little to damage their reputation. That was followed by a 5-2 win over Brann in the quarter-finals, but the real test of their mettle came in the semi-final against Emma Hayes’ Chelsea. Barcelona lost the first leg 1-0 at home, but won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on a day with some controversial refereeing and went on to win the draw.

It feels like ‘business as usual’ at Barcelona, ​​but a period of change beckons. Manager Jonatan Giraldez announced in December that he would be leaving the club for the Spirit, but Barcelona’s form never really deteriorated. After a huge prize pool, including the Champions League and the World Cup in 2023, Aitana Bonmati has not slowed down this season with five goals. That figure was matched by Caroline Graham Hansen, while breakout talent Salma Paralluelo led the team with six.

Do you want more attention for women’s football? Listen below and be sure to watch Attacking Third on Golazo Network Mondays and Fridays for all your USWNT, NWSL and WSL women’s soccer coverage.

Lyon: The eight-time champions have been in strong form throughout and also topped their group in style by outscoring the other teams 25 games to five. Lyon was held to a draw by Brann and Slavia Praha but still finished in first place in Group B and went on to dominate the knockouts with a 6-2 aggregate win over Benfica in the quarter-finals and a 5-3 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.

Kadidiatou Diani leads the league with eight goals, while Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg has five this season and US women’s national team captain Lindsey Horan was also among the standouts. Despite the strong results of the season, there is also an air of uncertainty surrounding Lyon. Sonia Bompastor is expected to succeed Hayes at Chelsea after this season, so she and Giraldez will both be hoping for a fairytale ending.

Prediction

With a squad full of World Cup winners and other top talent, it feels difficult to bet against Barcelona. Expect them to get revenge for the 2022 loss, even if the margins are quite close. Choose: Barcelona 2, Lyon 0