Speaking to the media after Barcelona bounced back to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory against Chelsea in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals, Ona Batlle suggested that Barcelona’s fourth consecutive appearance in the final shows that ‘we’re in a very good moment for women’s football in Spain.’
Erin Cuthbert scored the only goal in the first leg at Montjuïc last weekend, leaving Jonatan Giráldez’s side with plenty of work to do at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Speaking on her side’s approach as they headed to SW6, Batlle assured fans that Barcelona ‘were calm with our mentality.’
‘Of course, at the end of the day, were knew that we had to score the first goal, and then with the opportunities, the second goal would come.’
Aitana Bonmatí restored aggregate parity in the first half, before a controversial refereeing performance saw Kadeisha Buchanan dismissed – leaving Chelsea with a numerical disadvantage for the final thirty minutes.
Embed from Getty ImagesFridalina Rolfö converted what would prove to be the winning goal from the penalty spot after Bonmatí was felled inside the area by Jess Carter, and Batlle told reporters that ‘we forced the opportunities and had many chances to score. At the end, the penalty was called into question, but we’d worked really well.’
Barcelona now prepare for their fourth consecutive appearance in the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and they’ll be looking to retain their crown after last season’s stunning comeback win against VfL Wolfsburg.
‘The truth is, like I’ve already said, it’s something special to be a finalist with Barça,’ explained Batlle. ‘What I’ve always wanted is to go to the final. It’ll be my first final, but most importantly, it’ll be the fourth consecutive final for the club and that’s also super important.‘
‘I think that most importantly, we’re in a very good moment for women’s football in Spain. It’s something really beautiful and I think before anything else, we have to enjoy it because the best moments don’t come around often – so it’s about enjoying it and wanting more. I always want more, and I believe that we have a brilliant future ahead of us.‘
