Aitana Bonmati admits it got here as a “huge shock” to see Arsenal attain the Girls’s Champions League closing, as Barcelona bid to defend their European crown.
Barca, European champions in 2021, 2023 and 2024, will intention to take care of their dominance within the competitors on Saturday, with the ultimate going down in Lisbon.
Arsenal will function within the showpiece match for simply the second time, having been topped European champions in 2007, having staged a semi-final fightback to beat Lyon.
They had been defeated 2-1 on house soil within the first leg, however targets from Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord – in addition to an personal purpose from Christiane Endler – noticed them thrash the eight-time champions 4-1 away from house to advance 5-3 on mixture.
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Bonmati has admitted she didn’t anticipate to fulfill the Gunners, who Barca haven’t confronted since registering two wins over them within the 2021-22 group stage.
“For me, it was a shock, Arsenal reaching the ultimate,” Bonmati stated in an interview with ESPN.
“They completely deserve it, as a result of scoring 4 targets towards Lyon within the second leg isn’t straightforward in any respect.
“I congratulate them for that as a result of I feel it was a giant shock, however a well-deserved one. It’s a closing with a distinct really feel as a result of we’ve by no means performed Arsenal in a closing.
“It’s been just a few years since we even performed them. For that purpose, it’s a brand new problem for us, having the ability to play a distinct crew.”
Barça en path to their SIXTH #UWCL closing in seven years #UWCLfinal || @FCBfemeni pic.twitter.com/9xcCdY6nUD
— UEFA Girls’s Champions League (@UWCL) Might 19, 2025
Arsenal’s comeback victory over Lyon was the primary time that they had received a Champions League knockout tie after shedding the primary leg, and simply the third time in 28 situations that Lyon had squandered a first-leg benefit.
Caldentey was one of many heroes of that triumph, and she’s going to come up towards loads of acquainted faces on Saturday, having represented Barca for 10 years earlier than becoming a member of the Gunners final July.
Bonmati and Caldentey began collectively in 47 Champions League video games for Barca, with their document standing at 37 wins, three attracts and 7 defeats. The Blaugrana had a 78.7% win price with the duo of their lineup and averaged 3.1 targets per sport.
“I’m wanting ahead to it, however will probably be unusual to see Mariona within the different shirt and taking part in towards us,” Bonmati stated of their reunion.
“I’ve by no means had that feeling of taking part in towards her. She’s been a participant I’ve performed with my complete life, right here and with the Spanish Nationwide Crew.
“She’s all the time been by my facet, exchanging passes, so will probably be unusual to have her as an opponent.”
Caldentey has seven Champions League targets this season, with Barca striker Claudia Pina (10) the one participant to outscore her.