Oshoala’s Barca set to end Lyon’s domination of UEFA Women’s Champions League

By Harry Awurumibe, Abuja

Women’s football giants Lyon face a strong challenge to their domination of the UEFA Women’s Champions League  final when they take on FC Barcelona Ladies in today’s final at Ferencvaros Stadium, looking for a fourth straight title.

Lyon, packed with international talents, hold a record five Champions League titles having made the final eight times since 2010.

In contrast, Barca with Nigeria’s Asisat Lamina Oshoala are playing in their first Champions League final after beating Bayern Munich in the last four to become the first Spanish team to reach the final.

Should they triumph, Barca would become the first club to win the Champions League with both male and female teams.

The French side start as favourites though with Olympique Lyon’s sustained investment in the team having built a squad packed with talent and experience.

France international forward, Eugenie Le Sommer has been a key part of the team’s sustained success but says their achievements have in no way undermined their hunger for more trophies.

“It would be great to win the Champions League again. It would be my sixth and that would be just extraordinary. So I will cross my fingers and hope it happens,” she said.

As well as a strong core drawn from the French national side, Lyon can call on England defender Lucy Bronze and Canada centre-half Kadeisha Buchanan.

Japan captain and playmaker Saki Kumagai makes up a strong midfield alongside Germany midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan. In attack, Lyon can call on one of the very best in the women’s game, Norwegian striker and 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.

“It would mean everything to make history with a fourth win in a row,” said Hegerberg. “This is the most beautiful competition in my eyes,”

Barca also have plenty of international talents with Dutch forward Lieke Martens; England striker Toni Duggan and African Best Women’s Footballer, Oshoala.

Barca’s experienced defender Marta Torrejon says the players feel a sense of responsibility after the commitment the club have shown to building the women’s team.

“The club is betting on us, the women’s team, which is greatly appreciated and there is no better way for us to pay them back than with achievements and triumphs,” she said.

This year, UEFA has ended its practice of holding the Women’s Champions League final in the same week and city as the men’s version with the stand-alone final taking place at the home of Hungarian club Ferencvaros.

There will be some local interest for fans with Marozsan having been born in Hungary and despite spending her career in Germany she is the country’s best known female player.