The UEFA Women's Champions League final of 2025 is established: Arsenal will face Barcelona, which aims at a fourth title in five years, in Estadio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal, on Saturday.
As expected, Barcelona, reigning champions and three times winners, returns to defend his crown. The true surprise, however, is its opponent, the Arsenal, which has reached this stage for the first time in 18 years. Surprisingly, they did not even reach the first round of qualifiers last season.
It is the best confrontation vs. Powerhouse Showdown. The gunners have shown an incredible resilience, which comes from behind in its quarterfinals and semifinals to demonstrate the sand and belief that feed their historical career. Meanwhile, Barcelona reaffirmed its domain, dismantling Chelsea 8-2 together in its semifinal to remember everyone why they remain the gold standard of Europe.
Both clubs have the passionate bases of fans traveling, and a stadium full of 50,000 places will be expected as fans go with full strength for this historical final. Barcelona are great favorites, and the Catalan team dominated the Gunners (4-0 and 4-1) at its last meeting during the group stage of the 2021-22 competition.
So what is in the store this weekend? Here is a preview of the best game of the Women's Club in European football.
What state is Arsenal when entering the game?
After ensuring a place in the final of the Champions League, the last three female games of the Arsenal Super League did not reach expectations. With the first-election goalkeeper, Daphne Van Domselaar, injured, a 5-2 defeat against Aston Villa handed Chelsea to his sixth consecutive title of the League, and that was followed by a 4-2 defeat against Brighton, before they beat Manchester United 4-3 on the last day to claim the second place.
Before those three games, Arsenal's defense had granted 13 goals. In them, they admitted 13 goals. And fans could have worried that the backup archera Manuela Zinsberger fought to stop a clinical team in Barcelona that dismantled Chelsea 4-1 twice twice. However, they are expected to go back and a two -week break has allowed the Gunners team to rest and prepare before their gigantic task.
Barcelona can have the strongest squad on paper, but Arsenal has built his resilience career. To have an opportunity, they must be defensively impeccable and capitalize on the counterattacks to catch Barcelona off guard. His trust is high and, with nothing to lose, they are in the ideal mentality to achieve a shock. – EK
What state is Barcelona to enter the game?
Barça has answered any questions about its hunger to remain at top in a resounding way at the end of the season. The defeats to Manchester City, Levante and Real Madrid had asked questions about their progress under coach Pere Romeu, who replaced Jonatan Giráldez last summer. However, the victories beaten in the Champions League against Wolfsburg and Chelsea, along with a title F of the Sixth headline, have shown that they are still the team to win in Europe.
They are in a particularly scary form in the attack. So many players contribute to the final third that is not a case of stopping the supply to a player, because there are many capable of scoring. The top scorer Ewa Pajor has scored 10 times in its last seven appearances, while Clàudia Pina, the top scorer of the Champions League, has eight in six. The objectives also arrive from the center of the field. Alexia Putellas, with four in four, is approaching his best injury, while Aitana Bonmatí, with six in eight, is also a regular on the score sheet.
Since he lost to Madrid in March, Barça has registered 10 consecutive victories, scoring 48 goals and granting only four. That race has included the reduction of six against Wolfsburg and four against Chelsea twice. They have already won two trophies this season. [Liga F and the Supercopa de España Femenina] And now they are looking at two more, they also have the Queen's Cup final to come, so that it is a second successive quadruple. – YE
What can we expect from each rookie coach?
Few could have predicted that after Jonas Eidevall's departure after a 5-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in his first group of the group stage in mid-October, his assistant turned into a suitoring, Renée Slegers, would guide the team until the final. However, it was in those early and turbulent weeks, when morality was at its lowest point, crucial links were formed.
With only 36 years, Slegers has quickly proven to be an acute tactical mind. She inherited a talented team that only needed subtle adjustments and has joined the players and staff under her clear vision. His premature retirement of playing due to an injury is one of the fires that drives it, and that unfinished business now feeds a possible triumph of the Champions League against wind and tide. – EK
Romeu shares the minutes in League F, but the selection of his team has been quite predictable in large games. The trio of the midfield of Patrick Guijarro, Bonmatí and Putellas has been restored since the return of Keira Walsh to England to join Chelsea, and those three give control of Barça.
The main questions focus on the left side. Fridololina Rölfo and Esmee Brugts have shared the left lateral slot, with Salma Paralluelo and Pina the options to complete the front line next to Pajor and Caroline Graham Hansen. Regardless of whatever Romeu goes, Barça will not be very different from the sides that won this Trophy Bajo Lluís Cortés and Giráldez. – YE
Arsenal player to see: Kim Little
The Obvia option is the former Barcelona player Mariona Caldentey, who has been a valuable source of information for her teammates, offering advice on how to face the reigning champions and reflect on the difference in the first final of the Catalan club, the loss of 4-1 against Lyon in 2019, compared to their subsequent wins.
However, the true beat of this Arsenal side is Captain Little. Long underestimated, its tireless work rate, silent composure and leadership have been fundamental for team success. She is the glue that keeps Arsenal together in the most difficult moments and her influence in the center of the field, possibly where this game will be won or lost, will be absolutely crucial.
After joining only two years after the triumph of the UEFA 2006 UEFA Women's Cup in Arsenal, Little played with the legends that the team now seeks to emulate. She understands the magnitude of the moment better than most and will give everything to help write a new chapter in the history of the club. – EK
Barcelona player to see: Aitana Bonmati
Barça's team is full of winners of the game, but when the finals arrive, it is difficult to overlook Bonmatí. The midfielder of Spain is often delivered in the great matches. The consecutive winner of Ballon D'Or won the Golden Ball in the 2023 World Cup and has been appointed game player in two finals of the Champions League, including last year's victory over Lyon. She can do everything: dictate the rhythm of the game, play a murderous pass, beat an opponent and score goals. If you turn this weekend, it will be extremely difficult for Arsenal. – YE
Predictions
Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal. As much as we all love a classic history of helpless, the pure quality, experience and depth of Barcelona make them an overwhelming force. His squad is full of world -class talent and players who have tried success at the highest level. While it would be a remarkable achievement if Arsenal challenged the chances and made history, realistically, the task ahead feels a step too far. – Ek
Barcelona 2-0 Arsenal. It seemed that this could be the year when Chelsea or Lyon beat Barça, but with the blues sent and Lyon eliminated by Arsenal, it is difficult to bet against them now. He Blaugrana It will be distrustful of the gunners given their performance against the eight times Lyon winners in the semifinal, but they should have too much experience and quality. – YE
