Sonia Bompastor was in no mood to discuss her reported move to Chelsea after her Olympique Lyonnais side fell to a 2-0 defeat in the 2023/24 UEFA Women’s Champions League final at San Mámes in Bilbao.
Moments of magic from Aitana Bonmatí and then later from Alexia Putellas confirmed that Barcelona had managed to retain their European crown, beating Lyon for the first time in the process and ensuring that Bompastor’s final match as head coach of the French side did not have a fairytale ending.
For months, the 43-year-old has been highlighted as Emma Hayes’ replacement at Chelsea but fans are still awaiting official confirmation, which is expected to arrive over the course of the next week.
Asked about the move in her post-match press conference, Bompastor said: “It’s not the right moment to talk about it. I’m really disappointed [with the result] and that’s the main thing for me. It’s not the question tonight.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe former French international took the opportunity to praise her opponents though, suggesting that “all teams will have to find a way” to replicate the Catalan club’s success, on and off the pitch.
“The reality is that today, they have just won two consecutive Champions League titles. They have a very positive dynamic – through the results and the quality of the game they offer, but also the number of spectators they bring to the stadium.”
UEFA estimates suggested that around 40,000 of the 50,827 fans in attendance were there to support the Blaugrana, with the club’s ‘fan meeting point’ in the city centre bustling by midday – eight hours ahead of kickoff in the Basque Country.
Should Bompastor be announced as Chelsea boss, the Frenchwoman will soon learn that Barcelona are not the only team capable of packing out stadiums in such fashion – the Blues have enjoyed fierce competition with Arsenal to claim the bragging rights as the best-supported side in the Barclays Women’s Super League