Aitana Bonmatí: 'The fans will be an extra player'

Saturday sees the showdown for the 2023/24 Women's Champions League trophy between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais in Bilbao and on Friday representatives from the blaugrana squad appeared before the media in the pre-game press conference. Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, Norwegian star Caroline Graham Hansen and coach Jonatan Giráldez all faced questions from the press before the big game in San Mamés. 

Previous experience 

Aitana Bonmatí explained that previous experience of playing in the final "has helped us plan the game and overcome adversity." The woman widely considered the best player in the world went on to say that "years ago were more vulnerable and we found it difficult to come back in games we were losing." 

For the Barça midfielder the role of the fans in the final will be vital. "We are really proud of the fans and they will be like an extra player for us," said the Ballon d'Or winner, before adding: "They say finals are there to be won but I would like to say that you have to enjoy them too - they are unique moments." 

Graham Hansen: "We are more than ready"

Norwegian Caroline Graham Hansen was clear that the team is prepared for Saturday's final. "We are looking forward to the game and showing that previous experiences have helped us to focus on this year's final." said the winger. 

"At the moment, we are the two best teams"

For coach Jonatan Giráldez, there could not be a better final in women's football. "Both Barça and Lyon are the two best teams around at the moment," said the Galician before adding that the team's ambition is the same as last year in Turin and that the attitude has always been a given but now the team has more experience. "In footballing terms, we have grown, and we want to remain the best team in Europe so to do that we have to put in the best performance we can to lift the trophy," concluded the blaugrana boss.