Aitana Bonmatì had one of her impressive runs in the opponent box and scored from a nigh impossible angle through an unlucky deflection by an OL's DF (Gilles?) I'll soon have to miss some minutes in this last half-hour of the game: I am happy that at least I didn't miss this goal.
At the 5th of 6 minutes of additional time, Alexia Putellas, just subbed-in a few minutes earlier, scores the goal that ends the match. And I was back in time to watch it!
Yeah, I expected this after Lyon’s level of play in the playoff final, and this even doesn’t surprise me at all following Lyon’s play in the SF legs. The difference in the Lyon-PSG matches this season was Lyon just have a better keeper and defense. Not the case vs Barcelona’s backline and a better keeper than PSG’s.
Decent match with Barca clearly the better side. Lyon just did not have the necessary quickness to open up the Barca defense.
I really don't like this habit the players have recently growth of taking off the medal they just received when they are second best. Although I don't follow men's football, I assume this form of un-respect for the second place surely have to have come from there.
It happens in a lot of other sports than football as well. While I agree with you, it is understandable from an emotional point of view. I have been there, getting a second place trophy right after the game is hard to take.
World's greatest example was the US Olympic Basketball team refusing their silver medals in 1972. Arguably, they had a very good case for this and to this day those medals are locked in a vault at Olympic headquarters and will never be claimed. I remember watching the match in amazement at the worst officiating I have ever seen. Even so, the game should not have even been close but the US chose a dinosaur to coach the team.
But being a gracious loser is part of the very definition of sportmanship. I can understand the disappointment, but athletes are role-models: what are they teaching to the young people watching sports? That losing is unacceptable and if it happens you have to just pout and refuse it? call me romantic but I have a different idea of sport than winning at all costs: to me, when you lose you just bow to your opponent and accept that this time they were stronger. Despising the second place is a message I don't like, that could easily transfer in this already too much competitive real word, where any solidarity and respect has been forgotten. To just be clear: I don't blame OL players in particular for this: it's something I've seen happen too much often with many other teams; it's just I keep not liking it from any team.
Lyon defended well and had the early corner kick go off the cross bar, which would have changed the match, but didn't generate enough in attack or via counters--at least through the first nearly 70 minutes that I watched.
To all players, Bonmati's absolutely elite on her own; she doesn't need your help turning routine saves into very difficult shots (Buchanan's critical deflection on Bonmati's goal vs Chelsea as well).
Damn allergies, only caught the match from the 35th minute on. Up until the goal, my impression were that Lyon was stagnant while Barca were trying to be more inventive. They were also faster, and it seemed invitable that the first goal would go their way. Just not how I thought. But that's why you shoot. I'm sure you watched the match. The crowd was very much Barca fans, so very much it was a home match. When I first turned on the match, I had to remind myself they were not playing in Camp Nou.
Lyon did way too little on the many corners they got. How many cms does Renard have over Cata Coll, 20?
Yeah I was just being literal but I get the point, it certainly favored Barca for sure. Either way, they got the Lyon monkey off of their back.
Overrated is probably the last tag I would put on Caro. She didn't even make the shortlist to Ballon d'Or the last few years. Truly shocking. In Norway, she is often criticized for lacking charisma and always looking grumpy. In fairness, most teams Barcelona play are mediocre or average - compared to them.
Agree it was shocking she didn't even make the shortlist, she should've at least been ranked top5, the woso-world can be very narrow-sighted. Think CGH showed some really impressive runs and dribblings yesterday, that could've needed a better striker partnership, Paruello was a bit off. I still think Bonmati is the best allround,for leadership and vision.Won't cry if CGH gets the ballon'dor however, she deserves it, this non-national tournament year, but everything isn't about stats
I was critical of Paruello duing the WC last year, mostly for looking disjointed, and then she would pop up for a goal. Very much the same with Barca from what I have seen this year as well. What can I say? She scores. From what I saw of the match yesterday, she never looked like she was going to that one look that she needs. And watching the second half in full, Lyon really did mark her out of the match. There was a bit of Horan. There was a bit of Gilles or Renard. There was a bit of double teaming. She just couldn't get that half step. But Barca is so talented and quick all around that her ability to score really opened up lanes for other players, and that was evident on Barca's first goal. Gilles was so worried about Paruello that she allowed Bonmati a bit of extra space, and Bonmati took it.
You both, guys: your tactical observations were super-interesting and mostly spot-on, but... her name is Salma Paralluelo! (and not Paruello) (In your defense she could turn out to win the award for the most difficult name to spell for a lot of commentators out there It's a nice little contest with her team-mate Ona Batlle )