World footballer Alexia Putellas sees her FC Barcelona in the Champions League final on Saturday (7:00 p.m. / DAZN) against Olympique Lyon as the favorite. “We have a lot of confidence. We know that we raised great expectations,” said the Barca captain before the showdown between the defending champions and the record holders at the Juventus stadium.
Over 10,000 fans traveled to support the Catalans in their fight for the European football crown. “We absorb this energy and we will try to use it,” promised Putellas.
On the other side, seven-time champions Lyon have come to terms with the unfamiliar role of underdog. “We go into the final with the feeling that we have nothing to lose,” said star striker Ada Hegerberg, the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with 58 goals in 59 appearances.
In the fall, the Norwegian made her comeback after a 21-month injury break. Orienteering trainer Sonia Bompastor emphasized how “incredibly important” the 2018 world footballer is for the French record champions: “She’s a leader, she never gives up, and she just loves to score goals.”