Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Putellas 'queen of Barcelona' in historic UWCL win

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 25 May 2024 19:25

Lucy Bronze has said Alexia Putellas showed why she is the "queen of Barcelona" after the two-time Ballon d'Or winner came off the bench to score the second goal in Barcelona's 2-0 Champions League final win over Lyon on Saturday.

Putellas fired home in stoppage time after Aitana Bonmatí had opened the scoring earlier in the second half as Barça sealed back-to-back Champions League trophies, winning the competition for a third time in four years.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

"Alexia is the captain of the team and she's the queen of Barcelona for a reason," England defender Bronze told DAZN after the game.

"She's always so confident in the team and she showed today why she is a back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner.

"She's got the quality to do that in the last minute of the Champions League final when we were up against it at the end and it just sealed the win for us. It was amazing."

Barça -- who boasted the lion's share of the 50,827 attendees at San Mamés in Bilbao, which was a record for a Women's Champions League final -- had never beaten French champions Lyon in four previous attempts.

Two of those defeats came in Champions League finals, in 2019 and 2022, and there was a feeling they needed to beat the eight-time European champions to really establish themselves as one of the best teams ever.

"We knew that's what we needed to be a club that really made history," Bronze said.

"It's hard to win it once, but to do it back-to-back, Lyon showed how difficult it is and this team has finally done that. I think we go down in history as one of the best teams in Europe."

Success in Europe follows a domestic treble -- Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Supercopa -- as Barça win the quadruple for the first time in the club's history.

Putellas, who signed a new two-year contract earlier this week, said winning back-to-back European trophies and all four trophies was the target set at the start of the campaign.

"Our objective was to win four out of four," the Spain international told TVE. "After the Champions League final last season, we said we wanted to be here in Bilbao because we knew what it would mean.

"We can't ask for anything else. We have achieved everything we wanted. Every minute of sacrifice has been worth the effort -- and I'd say that not after the game, but before, just entering in the stadium, with all the support we had here, it was worth it."

Ballon d'Or owner Bonmatí also praised the role of the travelling support in the north of Spain.

"It's incredible ... just incredible," she told TVE. "It feels like Camp Nou, [the Olympic Stadium in] Montjuic or the Johan [Cruyff Stadium]. All we can say is thanks to the fans, we love them so much.

"No, [winning the quadruple has not sunk in yet]. I am on cloud nine right now. It is an historic day which we will remember forever."

Victory over Lyon also signals the end of an era for coach Jonatan Giráldez, who will join NWSL side Washington Spirit next month.

Giráldez leaves after winning 10 trophies out of 12 during three years in charge, reaching the Champions League final in each of those seasons.

"It's impossible [to imagine a better send off]," he told TVE. "It's a dream day. It is difficult to explain with words the feeling I have right now.

"It is such a special moment. I am proud of all the players, the staff and fans that have been here. It is one of happiest days of my life.

"I hope the night goes on for a long time," Giráldez continued. "That we can enjoy it and celebrate with everyone who is here because it's an unforgettable day."

Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor expressed disappointment at her side falling at the final hurdle of a European campaign that had seen them reach San Mamés without tasting defeat.

"It's obviously a big disappointment. We knew that it was going to be a big challenge this evening, that it was going to be a tough game against a great team. Congratulations to Barcelona on winning this final. They're a great team, we would have needed to play a perfect game but, above all, we should have been more efficient in attack in order to get a better result, " Bompastor said.

"I'm proud of my players' run to the final. This run has been extraordinary, and they have worked a lot in order to be here this evening. We are going to digest this disappointment tonight and see what we have to work on in order to come back with the ambition of winning this Champions League."

The final could possibly be Bompastor's last game in charge of Lyon, with a source telling ESPN that the former France midfielder is close to replacing Emma Hayes as Chelsea manager.

Read 95 times

Soccer

Unbeaten Orlando Pride clinch 1st NWSL Shield

Unbeaten Orlando Pride clinch 1st NWSL Shield

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Orlando Pride clinched their first National Women's Soccer Leag...

Injuries force trio out of next USMNT matches

Injuries force trio out of next USMNT matches

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMonaco forward Folarin Balogun, Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardos...

Suárez right about some Bielsa issues - Valverde

Suárez right about some Bielsa issues - Valverde

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsReal Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde agreed with the declaratio...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

KAT gets first action with Knicks, scores 10 points

KAT gets first action with Knicks, scores 10 points

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jalen Brunson thought twice about going 1-on-2 i...

Clips say vet Tucker will be away from team

Clips say vet Tucker will be away from team

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe LA Clippers and P.J. Tucker mutually agreed that the veteran wo...

Baseball

Follow live: Ohtani, Dodgers searching for 2-0 lead in NLDS vs. Padres

Follow live: Ohtani, Dodgers searching for 2-0 lead in NLDS vs. Padres

Philadelphia Phillies edge New York Mets in Game 2 of NLDSNick Castellanos ripped a winning two-out...

Castellanos, Phillies rally, even NLDS with Mets

Castellanos, Phillies rally, even NLDS with Mets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHILADELPHIA -- Nick Castellanos ripped a winning two-out single of...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated