The starting lineups for the UEFA Women's Champions League final in Oslo have been confirmed, with two headline-grabbing decisions shaping the narrative before a ball has been kicked. Olympique Lyonnais, contesting their 12th final in this competition, will be without their influential forward Kadidiatou Diani, who underwent knee surgery just days ago. The French international travelled to Norway on crutches to support her teammates, but her absence forces a reshuffle in attack. Coach Jonatan Giraldez has turned to the pace and directness of Vicki Becho, partnering her with Norwegian icon Ada Hegerberg and German winger Jule Brand. This trio will be tasked with breaching a Barcelona backline that has conceded only a handful of goals in the knockout stages.
Becho’s inclusion is a story of opportunity carved from adversity. The 20-year-old has impressed in cameo roles this season but now faces the biggest test of her young career on the grandest stage. Her ability to stretch defences and combine with Hegerberg’s physicality and Brand’s clever movement could prove pivotal. Behind them, the midfield trio of Lily Yohannes, Lindsey Heaps and Melchie Dumornay carries both creativity and steel. Dumornay, in particular, has been tipped as a future Ballon d’Or contender, and a decisive display in Oslo would add significant weight to that argument. The defence remains unchanged: Ashley Lawrence, Wendie Renard, Ingrid Engen and Selma Bacha shield Christane Endler in goal. For Engen, the occasion carries extra resonance as she plays on home soil, in front of friends and family.
Lyon’s pedigree in this competition is unmatched. They have reached the final 12 times, winning eight, including a run of five consecutive titles from 2016 to 2020. That DNA of success breeds expectation, and even without Diani, they will believe their system and depth can deliver yet another crown. Barcelona, however, have transformed into European heavyweights, aiming for a fourth title that would further cement their modern dynasty. Coach Pere Romeu’s lineup selection reflects both confidence in his squad and a cautious approach to player fitness, most notably with Aitana Bonmati.
The triple Ballon d’Or winner has been left on the bench. Bonmati underwent surgery for a left fibula fracture in December and only recently returned to competitive action. Romeu’s decision suggests a worry that 90 minutes – or potentially more – at full intensity might be too much too soon. Instead, he has opted for Clara Serrajordi to join Patricia Guijarro and Alexia Putellas in midfield. This trio lacks none of the technical quality and tactical intelligence that defines Barcelona’s style. Guijarro’s range of passing, Putellas’s leadership and Serrajordi’s energy will aim to dominate the central zones, though Bonmati’s unique ability to link play and arrive late in the box will be missed from the start.
Barcelona’s attack looks terrifying even without the usual orchestrator-in-chief. Caroline Graham Hansen has received medical clearance and starts on the right, ready to torment Lyon’s left side with her dribbling and crossing. On the left, Salma Paralluelo’s speed and directness offer a different threat. Through the middle, Ewa Pajor leads the line. The Polish striker is the competition’s co-top scorer with nine goals, and her movement in the box is among the best in the world. Lyon’s central defenders, Renard and Engen, will need to be at their absolute best to keep her quiet.
In defence, Barcelona field a back four with Irene Paredes, whose availability was in doubt earlier in the week, partnering Mapi Leon at the heart. The full-back positions are occupied by Ona Batlle and Esmee Brugts. The match also introduces a personal subplot: Leon and Lyon’s Engen are in a relationship, and they will face each other in direct confrontations throughout the final. This human element adds a layer of intrigue to the tactical battle.
The 18:00 local time kick-off at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion will see Hegerberg greeted as a returning hero. Her record speaks for itself – she is the all-time leading scorer in the competition’s history – but a trophy in her homeland would be a crowning moment. Barcelona, meanwhile, will look to Pajor and Graham Hansen to maintain their goal-per-game average and bring the silverware back to Catalonia.
For Lyon, the key may lie in how Becho adapts to the occasion. The young forward possesses raw talent but has never started a match of this magnitude. Her partnership with Hegerberg, forged in training, will be tested immediately. Brand’s work rate off the ball could also be crucial in limiting Batlle’s overlaps. Barcelona will likely dominate possession, as they do in every game, so Lyon’s defensive organisation and counter-attacking transitions will determine their success.
Romeu’s decision to bench Bonmati also opens up the possibility of her being introduced as a game-changing substitute. Her vision and composure in the final third could unlock a tired Lyon defence in the second half. Likewise, Giraldez has options on his bench, including veteran forward Eugénie Le Sommer, whose experience in finals is unparalleled.
The Women’s Champions League final is rarely short of drama, and this edition promises all the ingredients: a historic favourite against a modern powerhouse, a homecoming for a legend, a personal duel between partners, and lineups shaped by both injury and tactical calculation. As the teams take the field, all eyes will be on how these narratives unfold.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.