Thousands are expected to make the journey north west from Barcelona to Bilbao, from Catalonia to the Basque region. As the Women’s Champions League reaches its conclusion at San Mames, it could feel like a home final for Barcelona, or as close to it without it being held in the Camp Nou itself.

That is fitting, perhaps, given how much of Barcelona’s success is home-grown and the influence its iconic La Masia academy may have over this European showpiece against Lyon.

For the past decade, Lyon have been the superpower of women’s football in Europe, its star-studded squads lifting the Women’s Champions League a record eight times between 2011 and 2022.

Barcelona have never beaten Lyon, losing Champions League finals to the French side in 2019 and 2022, but they now stand on becoming the new undisputed force in the women’s club game, unbeaten in Spain this season and going for back-to-back Champions Leagues. For that, Barcelona have their own identity to thank: it runs through its past, present and future.

Aitana Bonmati ahead of the Women’s Champions League final: “We’ve gone behind in finals and overcome them and that’s true about this season’s semi-final against Chelsea. We have learned from all that. But let’s be honest - it’s much better not to concede early or to go behind! However, we really do have a winning mentality in this squad.

“I love to talk about winner’s mentality because I think we have it and I think we use it well. But I don’t want to talk about past defeats against Lyon. I have such confidence in us, I know what we are capable of and we’ll go out against them showing that mentality like we would against any rival.

“Since the first final we played, in Budapest, we have grown a lot, we aren’t the same team we were back then at all. I would say that we didn’t have any kind of experience, and physically, we were far off the big teams. Now, we are probably one of the teams to beat out of anyone. And that’s because of the amazing trajectory we’ve had in recent years.”

Aitana Bonmati should be revered for her unquestionable footballing talent, but her desire to advocate for the issues that transcend sport truly sets her apart.

No male winner of the Ballon d’Or, such as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, has ever had to take a stand on human rights, player welfare, or the wider issues in the game. But Bonmati has chosen to use her platform and role-model status to speak out and to try and change the future of women’s football.

In 2023, Bonmati was named Uefa women’s player of the year, also winning the Ballon d’Or and the Fifa award for best women’s player: a clean sweep of individual achievements. She was also part of the Barcelona side that won the Uefa Women’s Champions League, and the Spain team that lifted the World Cup.

Sonia Bompastor ahead of the Women’s Champions League final: ”When I took over this team, I had very little experience as a coach. I have grown. Playing a Champions League final, I had done it as a player, and the preparation is pretty much the same.

“We are a team that has won a lot in the past. But we remain really ambitious. For me we are the best team in the world and will continue to be no matter what happens tomorrow. I trust my players; I know there is all the individual and collective talent needed to achieve this goal.”

If Emma Hayes had done a Jurgen Klopp, perhaps the build-up to this weekend’s Women’s Champions League final would have been a bit different, but not by much.

During the Liverpool manager’s farewell to Anfield, Klopp grabbed the microphone and chanted the name of his successor, Arne Slot, before the Dutchman had been officially confirmed by the club. Hayes and Chelsea could not afford to do the same, after winning a fifth Women’s Super League title in a row at Old Trafford, but if she had, it wouldn’t have been too much a surprise to hear who would be replacing her at Stamford Bridge.

Sonia Bompastor and Lyon, may be grateful for that, though, even if Bompastor’s future remains the worst-kept secret in Bilbao ahead of the Champions League final at San Mames. Chelsea did not want to disrupt the French club’s preparations before facing holders Barcelona but Bompastor is certain to depart, regardless of whether Lyon regain their European crown. After 12 years of Hayes, Bompastor is set to be confirmed as Chelsea’s next manager after the weekend.

Former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg is expected to play for Lyon in Saturday’s Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona after recovering from an injury.

The 28-year-old Norwegian forward missed the semifinals against Paris Saint-Germain because of the injury but may play at San Mames Stadium, Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor said.

“Ada has resumed normal team training,” Bompastor said. “She could be available tomorrow. Everyone knows Ada’s talent, her quality as a player. Her experience is invaluable, and with the right mentality, anything is possible for Ada.”

There was a noticeable reaction to the question. Changing of the guard? In the Women’s Champions League final? Not for Lyon. The French side are proud to point out that when it comes to European honours, no one has more than them. Even if Barcelona defeat them to win their third Champions League in four years, Lyon are adamant that they will not be replaced as the major force of women’s football in Europe.

The final at Sam Mames is a meeting of Europe’s two best clubs, everyone can agree on that at least. Barcelona are the holders and Lyon are the eight-time champions. Yet, with Barcelona eyeing revenge and another statement victory, one that would stand with the significance of their first Champions League triumph in 2019, it feels as if there if pressure on Lyon to show they are not done yet.

Women’s Champions League final preview from Bilbao

Predicted line-ups

Barcelona: Coll; Bronze, Paredes, Engen, Batlle; Bonmati, Walsh, Patri; Graham Hansen, Paralluelo, Rolfo

Lyon: Endler; Carpenter, Renard, Gilles, Bacha; Van de Donk, Egurrola, Horan; Cascarino, Dumornay, Diani

Lyon team news

Lyon have more injury problems than Barca, with Eugenie Le Sommer and Sara Dabritz notable absentees. Ada Hegerberg returned from injury not long ago and will be looking to start, but Lyon have an array of attacking options. The 20-year-old Melchie Dumornay has shone this season, while Kadidiatou Diani and Delphine Cascarino represent a formidable front line. Wendie Renard and Lindsey Horan bring the experience of major finals.

Barcelona team news

Barcelona remain without centre-back Mapi Leon, who is a long-term injury absentee. As always, head coach Jonatan Giraldez has plenty of selection dilemmas and may make changes from last weekend’s 8-0 victory against Real Sociedad in the Copa de la Reina final. Fridolina Rolfo and Keira Walsh should return, perhaps for Claudia Pina and Lucy Bronze. Alexia Putellas signed a new contract at Barcelona this week but may start on the bench.