Together with my BetZillion colleagues, we highlight four key players to watch as Barcelona faces Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on Saturday, May 25, in Bilbao.
After sweeping individual honors last season and poised to do so again this year, Bonmatí has solidified her stellar status in Barcelona’s Champions League campaign with five goals and a competition-leading six assists. Her particularly influential performance at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the semi-finals helped Barcelona overturn a 1-0 deficit with a 2-0 win.
𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬.
𝑀𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑚 𝑒𝑙 𝑀𝑜́𝑛 ✨ pic.twitter.com/tTSUQ3UJlb— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) May 20, 2024
Her goal that leveled the aggregate score in that tie showcased her skill, determination, and inspiration. Even with a trophy cabinet overflowing, her hunger for victory remains undiminished.
Rolfö has a reputation for delivering in crucial moments. Barcelona experienced this firsthand when her goal for Wolfsburg knocked them out in the 2020 semis. However, fortunes reversed in the 2023 final, where her winning goal secured a 3-2 victory for Barcelona against her former side.
Fridolina Rolfo. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SgXETKKlWK
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 3, 2023
After knee surgery in September kept her out until March, Rolfö has excelled upon her return, scoring key goals for both club and country. She secured Barcelona’s place in the final with a coolly-taken penalty at Chelsea. Often deployed as a left-back, she has recently returned to her more familiar attacking role, but her work rate and pace make her invaluable wherever she plays.
Horan was integral to Lyon’s 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the 2022 final, partnering with Amandine Henry in a dominant midfield performance. With Henry no longer at the club, Horan has become the central figure in Lyon’s midfield this season.
The Captain 🎉 pic.twitter.com/6iP2wnDNnd
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) March 11, 2024
The United States captain, although not wearing the armband for Lyon, is a leader on the pitch, organizing the midfield and initiating attacks. Her tactical acumen has kept Lyon at the pinnacle of the Champions League.
Renard, who has worn the Lyon armband for over a decade, is the only player to have participated in all ten of Lyon’s past finals. She aims to secure her and the club’s ninth title in Bilbao, where she scored the decisive goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2020 semi-finals.
CHAMPIONNES de FRANCE 🏆1️⃣7️⃣🏆
Merci aux supporters pour votre soutien sans faille cette saison ❤️💙✊🏾
C’est le titre d’un groupe :
Dirigeants, Staff, Joueuses et Supporters !Merci à ma Famille et Amis pour votre amour et votre soutien 🤍
Jamais rassasiées 🦁 pic.twitter.com/xsJvgc9q80
— Wendie Renard (@WRenard) May 18, 2024
Despite a three-month injury layoff this season, Renard returned in March and played a crucial role with the highest odds in the semi-final victory against Paris. Holding the most individual appearance records in this competition and regularly scoring from set pieces, the towering center-back is poised to counter whatever Barcelona throws at Lyon.
