Arsenal Dethrones Barça

Barcelona failed to secure their third consecutive Women's Champions League title this Saturday. Pere Romeu's side lost narrowly to Arsenal in the grand final held in Lisbon, in a match where luck was not on the side of the Catalans. The Barça team managed 20 shots before succumbing to a solitary goal by Blackstenius in the second half.

The final began with some doubts for Barcelona. Pere Romeu opted for his usual 4-3-3 formation with Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, and Alexia in midfield, and all the firepower up front. However, this did not prevent the typical respect inherent in a Champions League clash and the battle from an Arsenal side determined to press their opponents. The Gunners pressed high, suffocated the Catalans, and created an uncomfortable and error-strewn start that did not favour Barça.

These errors prevented Barça from having fluidity with the ball at the start and caused a dangerous back-and-forth where the outcome could have gone either way. Pajor and Aitana tried their luck for the Catalans, while Russo and Kelly threatened before the final scare with an own goal by Irene Paredes, which was ruled out for offside thanks to VAR.

This was the final wake-up call for a team that needed half an hour to calm down and take control of the game. They did so through a medium block that allowed for greater possession but not depth. Arsenal achieved their goal by halftime, stifling a Barça side that seemed out of ideas.

After the restart, Barcelona stepped up. They pushed forward, pressed in the opponent's half, and began a siege on Van Domselaar's goal. Ona Batlle and Rolfo joined the attack, creating spaces between the lines for Aitana Bonmati, who was omnipresent. It was at this moment, with Arsenal sitting back, that the best chances came. Claudia Pina hit the crossbar, and Ona Batlle came close with a strike from the edge of the box that went just wide.

Barça finally had Arsenal where they wanted them. Gunner's coach Renee Slegers frowned from the sidelines, looking for solutions to allow her team to break out and counterattack, their main strength. With this in mind, she introduced Blackstenius, a very physical forward capable of holding up the ball and working alone. This put the Catalans in jeopardy, saved only by a great save from Cata Coll, as they levelled a match that was being played downhill towards Van Domselaar's goal.

This change of scenario caught Barcelona off guard. Pere Romeu failed to react, and Barça found themselves regretting as Arsenal's direct play dismantled all the machinery the Catalans had devised to press high. The punishment for Barça was severe. Mead conjured a pass that left Blackstenius with the ball in the area, and the Swedish striker did the rest with an unstoppable shot past Cata Coll. From then on, Barça tried everything. Brugts and Engen came on, but it was too late. The Catalans could not secure their fourth title in five years and fell to a rival that adapted better to the opponent's characteristics.

TECHNICAL SHEET:

Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Maanum (Blackstenius, min. 67), Mariona; Kelly (Mead, min. 68), Russo (Wubben-Moy, min. 91) and Foord (Hurtig, min. 86).

FC Barcelona: Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Paredes, Mapi León (Engen, min. 78), Rölfo (Brugts, min. 78); Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas; Graham, Pajor and Pina (Salma Paralluelo, min. 62).

Goals: 1-0: min. 75. Blackstenius.

Referee: Ivana Martinčić. Booked Paredes, Kelly, and Salma Paralluelo.

Incidents: Match played at Estádio José Alvalade before 38,356 spectators.