Europe's biggest sides collide in Women's Champions League final on Saturday | OneFootball

A Barcelona team keen to make amends for last year's Champions League final take on OL Lyonnes hoping to reclaim the trophy they have won more than anyone else.

The Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo hosts the final between the two biggest European teams and could be hugely significant for the future of both...

The end of an era for Barcelona?

The Catalan side dominate their league domestically, just as OL Lyonnes do in France, which has allowed them to focus on European competition – unlike WSL sides who can crumble under a busy schedule.

However, it is beginning to feel like the end of a cycle of dominance on the continent for Barça, primarily because of high profile departures expected this summer.

Not only did Barça lose the likes of Mariona Caldentey, Keira Walsh, and Lucy Bronze last year but they are expected to lose Ona Batlle and Mapi León this summer. There's even rumours that a club could turn the head of star player Alexia Putellas, who is beginning to look like her old self after a long-term injury a few years ago.

Of course, Barcelona have plenty of depth in their squad and a lot of exciting, young talent coming through. But there may be a small period of change that could be tricky to navigate.

We may see a few different sides next season so some of these players will be desperate to end their time at the club with a winner's medal.

OL Lyonnes looking to win a ninth title

Lyon have won the title in eight of the last 15 seasons – a remarkable run of dominance that included five titles in a row from 2016 to 2020. However, they have won just one in the last five editions of the tournament, back in the 2021/22 tournament with Barcelona (x3) and Arsenal the other winners in that time.

As well as improving the squad, one thing owner Michele Kang did to try and recapture the Champions League was bring in coach Jonatan Giráldez, who won two European titles during his time with Barcelona.

Like Barcelona, OL Lyonnes will likely have to do some squad revamping this summer, in particular with Lindsey Heaps set to return to the US and join Denver Summit at the end of the season. Of course, the club's owners have not been shy of investing in their side and with the news that multi-club ownership rules will continue in women's UEFA competition, the French club shouldn't have to worry about London City Lionesses becoming the 'favoured child'.

French side with the edge in previous meetings

To underline how dominant both of these teams have been in Europe, this a repeat of the 2019, 2022, and 2024 finals.

The first time Lyon and Barça met was back in the quarter-final stage of the 2017/18 season, with the French team winning both legs to triumph 3-1 on aggregate. The next two finals were all Lyon as well – a 4-1 in 2019 and a 3-1 win in 2022. 

However, the most recent meeting between these two sides was that final two seasons ago when Barcelona finally got their revenge. Fittingly, Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas scored both goals in a 2-0 win in Bilbao – could those two Barcelona icons be decisive once again?