Macdara Ferris reports from Lisbon
ARSENAL
The runners-up in the WSL face as tough a test as possible on Saturday evening if they are to become European champions (kick-off 5pm). They are facing into a battle against a Barcelona side who are back-to-back Champions League winners and heavy favourites for this match.
The Gunners finished their domestic season last weekend a dozen points behind an unbeaten Chelsea side – Barca beat the Blues in the Champions League semi-final 4-1 in both legs – showing the challenge ahead for the North London based team.
Arsenal are the only English women’s club to have won a European Cup – that was back in 2007 with three Irish players in the squad (Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant and Yvonne Treacy).
"It's so nice to have that history within a club,” said Arsenal skipper Kim Little speaking to UEFA. “I think it's pretty unique. So to be able to represent the club in general but also those past players and legends who've done a lot for our game, it's great to celebrate them.
"We had them for lunch at the training ground early in the week – that was incredible to have them there. We hope we can do what they did back then."
The Gunners come into the match on the back of two amazing second leg turnarounds at quarter-final and semi-final stage.
Renée Slegers’ side lost both first legs – 2-0 away to Real Madrid and 2-1 at home to European heavyweights Lyon – but won both second legs. They beat Real with three second half goals in the quarter-final second leg at the Emirates and in the semi-final second leg away from home against Lyon they won 4-1 with a dominant display.
"We want to show courage,” said Gunners boss Slegers at the pre-match press conference.
“We respect Barcelona and are very humble for the occasion, but we're here to win. It's going to be important that we deal with all moments in the game by showing discipline and being switched on. If we do that well, I believe we can perform, and we believe in our capacity."
Arsenal have within their side Ireland's own Katie McCabe and have a host of star players that can be game changers on their day.
England’s Alessia Russo and former Barcelona player Mariona Caldentey (who has won five Champions League finals) lead the scoring charts for Arsenal in Europe with eight goals each (including one goal apiece in qualifying) – one more than Caitlin Foord. Barca’s Claudia Pina is the competition’s top scorer with ten.
Caldentey scored a goal in both legs of the Gunners' semi-final tie with Lyon – making it eight goals in her last 11 Champions League matches - while Russo and Foord found the net in the second-leg victory in France.
"The Champions League is something that I've always loved watching as a kid, and would always dream about playing in," Russo told UEFA. "So it's a massive competition. I feel very grateful to be here with Arsenal and the journey that it has taken to get here as well."
www.extratime.com/articles/358...
[image or embed]
— extratime.com (@extratime.com) 23 May 2025 at 08:05
BARCELONA
The Catalan club is seeking a second consecutive treble winning season. Having wrapped up their sixth domestic championship in a row last weekend – winning 9-0 away to Real Betis in their final game – Barca have this weekend’s Champions League final and a Copa de la Reina to come against Atletico Madrid on 7 June.
They have won three of the last four Europan Cup finals and are playing in a remarkable fifth final in a row – their sixth in the past seven seasons. Their loses during that time are both to Lyon – a 4-1 defeat in 2019 and 3-1 in 2022.
Barca are looking to join Lyon in becoming only the second team to win three Champions League finals in a row.
Pere Romeu’s side have quality right throughout a team that includes some of the very best in the women’s game with two back-to-back Ballon D’Or Feminin winners in their ranks – Alexia Putellas (2021 and 2022) and Aitana Bonmati (2023 and 2024) – and both Spanish World Cup winners spoke at Friday’s pre-match press conference at Sporting’s stadium in Lisbon.
Bonmati admitted that: “it was a surprise that Arsenal beat Lyon, but they deserve to be in the final after winning 4-1. We didn't manage to score so many against Lyon, so they will be a difficult opponent.
"We understand the importance of tomorrow's game,” said Bonmati who was player of the match in the 2021 and 2024 Champions League final victories. “It is a final, and we are not taking anything for granted against a strong opponent. I understand why we have been labelled as favourites, but anybody can win these types of games."
Putellas spoke about the journey the club has been on to now playing in their third consecutive sold out Champions League final.
"Everything that has come before has led us to what we are now,” said the 31-year-old player. “I remember what the games were like at small stadiums and what they are like now. I feel privileged to be involved in that growth."
The midfielder also spoke about going up against her former club teammate Mariona Caldentey. “I’ve got maximum respect for Mariona given all that we have shared together in these club colours, although I really do believe it’s going to feel strange.
“Fortunately, I still have the great pleasure of playing with her for the national team. I have to say that I wish her the best in everything except for the match tomorrow – for obvious reasons!”
Referee: Ivana Martinčić (Croatia)
MATCH STATS
This match is a landmark for both clubs. The final is Arsenal's 125th Women’s Champions League match – only Lyon (152) have played more – while it is Barcelona’s 100 match in this competition.
The record top scorer in a UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign is Alexia Putellas. She scored 11 in 2012/22. Claudia Pina is just one off equalling that record in Saturday’s game.
PREDICTION
3-1 Barca win
POSSIBLE STARTING TEAMs
Arsenal
Zinsberger; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Maanum, Little, Mariona; Foord, Russo, Mead
Barcelona
Coll; Batlle, Paredes, León, Rolfö; Bonmatí, Guijarro, Putellas; Graham Hansen, Pajor, Paralluelo
extratime.com will be covering Saturday’s game from the Estádio José Alvalade with updates here.