UWCL: OL Lyonnes boss Jonatan Giráldez previews blockbuster final against former side FC Barcelona | OneFootball

Jonatan Giráldez is ready for OL Lyonnes’ blockbuster clash against his former side FC Barcelona in the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Saturday.

The final — which will take place at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo — will be the first contested between the two sides since the 2023/24 final.

In Bilbao, Barcelona stunned the tournament’s record-holders with a 2-0 victory. Goals from Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí ensured the Spanish side took home their third UWCL title.

The sides haven’t met one since then but they are both heading into Saturday’s final high on confidence. Last time out, Barca beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 to take home another Copa de la Reina title. Meanwhile, OL Lyonnes dismantled Nantes 8-0, which saw Ada Hegerberg net a hat-trick.

“Now, it’s time for preparation,” Lyon head coach Giráldez told the media. “Try to have a good iteration, preparation, activation, and what we have to do before the game and what we can control.

“Right now, we can’t play this evening. We have to prepare for the game and that’s the priority to understand it.”

Why did Jonatan Giráldez return to Europe?

In 2019, the 34-year-old joined the coaching ranks at Barcelona under Lluís Cortés’ leadership. He spent three years as a technical assistant and with a keen tactical eye, he was heavily involved with game strategy.

During this period, the Spaniard helped the side win their first Champions League title in 2021 against Chelsea. Cortés then departed the club and Giráldez was promoted to head coach.

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After three successful years at the helm, which included winning 10 titles, he left European football. Moving across the pond, Giráldez went on to manage Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League. However, the allure of the Champions League meant a return to Europe was always on the cards.

“For us, it’s [the final] the most important game in the season that we have played. We are very happy, very proud to have to opportunity to play this game,” he said.

Despite the blockbuster final, Giráldez insists he doesn’t like ‘to change’ his preparation for these high-pressure matchups.

“What we have to do, is do the same thing that we were doing in the past. We don’t have to change the environment around players, we just need to understand what we have to do as a team.”

How many UWCL titles do OL Lyonnes have?

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OL Lyonnes have long been hailed the ‘Queens of Europe’ due to their record eight European titles. Captain Wendie Renard has been present for all of these victories and it’s experience like this which could help drive a new-look Lyon side to their ninth title.

Giráldez said: “Based on my experience, I have played this type of games many times. So, I guess I can give some advice, but also we have several players, who have very good voice displays and experience to explain to the players how we have to face these types of weeks.”

Some of the younger players, who could be key for OL Lyonnes this weekend include Melchie Dumornay, who joined the club in 2023.

Dumornay is just 22 years old and has quickly cemented herself as one of the most prolific attackers in world football. Her late assist in the semi-final proved decisive for beating reigning champions Arsenal, who struggled to replicate their first leg performance.

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In the 2024 final, the Haitian started as a striker for the French club, but has been utilised deeper under Giráldez’s reign.

“I think she has a good understanding of the game, receiving between the lines, but is also a player who likes to go to the side,” the manager said. “She’s a player who likes to be a second striker and who likes to drop when the team needs more support from the build-up situations. And defensively she’s a top player, so, for me, she’s a key player because she’s capable to do different things.”

Facing his former side

From his time in Spain, Giráldez is familiar with the Barcelona set-up and also their new head coach, Pere Romeu. However, despite his historic ties with the club, Giráldez confirms that preparing to beat them has not been ‘strange’.

Despite preparation following his usual routine, the manager admits Barcelona are a very different side to when he was in charge.

“Tactically speaking, they have very different players for example Ewa Pajor,” he said. “When I was there, we didn’t have a number nine like Ewa Pajor, we had a different profile of players. I remember my last final, I played with Mariona Caldentey as a number nine.”

However, in terms of identity the side is much the ‘same’.

He said: “They try to dominate all the game and try to create as many chances as possible. Forget the result, they always try to give good entertainment to the supporters, and then they’re very aggressive out of possession.

“Honestly, I don’t think that they have changed a lot, just the profile of the players is a little bit different, so that means that they play a little different.”

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What will be key for OL Lyonnes against Barcelona?

Set pieces have been vital for OL Lyonnes on their journey to the final. We have seen a variety of deliveries and routines which is something the side have been working on.

“I think it 30 or 40 percent of our goals that are coming from set pieces, so they are key,” Giráldez said. “This week there is a special mention to this type of work in free kicks, lateral free kicks, and corners.”

Alongside set pieces, playing for the full 90 minutes is also crucial. After their first leg semi-final defeat against Arsenal, Giráldez admitted his side didn’t play for the full duration, but rather performed in patches.

“In the first leg against Arsenal, we didn’t deserve to win that game. We were winning the game in the first half but we didn’t deserve it because we didn’t play in the second 45 minutes,” he said.

“To win these sort of games, we compete the 90 minutes. To play finals, to win titles, you need to be perfect or be close to the perfection to have more chances to win the game.”

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Lily Yohannes could also be the key to OL Lyonnes winning their ninth title. The 18-year-old American joined the club from Ajax ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Since her arrival, the versatile midfielder has impressed hugely and showed her value in the semi-final against Arsenal.

“She’s an amazing player and she’s a talent,” said Giráldez. “She struggled a little bit in the beginning, because it’s normal. She came from other different contexts and environment, but I am very happy with how she has performed. She’s very humble and always tries to improve.

“She doesn’t put excuses, I love this type of personality to play. She’s very young and she’s a top player in and out of possession who’s helping us to play good.”

How to watch the UWCL Final?

For viewers at home, you can watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, live on Disney+ as part of existing customer subscriptions.

The final will kick-off 5pm (BST) with the match also available on BBC Two and iPlayer for customers without access to Disney+.

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