Martens catapults Barça to another historic Champions final

Barça dreams. Spanish women's football enjoys it. The Catalans managed to go to the second Champions League final in their history. A feat consumed in the last three years, being the first team on the national scene to reach this level. The Catalan painting stopped short of a PSG that came from eliminating the almighty Lyon, which has in its possession the last five continental crowns. He did it with his great showy game and with the goals of Martens, that extended the result of the first leg in Paris (1-1) with a legendary double. Katoto tightened the tie before the break (1-2, aggregate 2-3), but those of Lluís Cortés did not hesitate on their way to Gothenburg 2021.

The first part raised two Barça footballers. Two figures that perfectly represent the great growth and commitment of the Catalan club to women's football. From the great value from the quarry, with an Aitana Bonmatí decisive factor in the engine room, down to the weight of the Star signings such as Lieke Martens, whose effectiveness was gold for the Catalans.

The Dutch arrived in Barcelona in 2017 as Barça's first transfer in this category. And while his level has seen ups and downs in recent years, Lieke has not stopped shining. The quality of Bergen's lead rattled in these semifinals to the 981 spectators who were lucky enough to witness this event at the Johan Cruyff. It was not necessary to wait for the players to settle on the green to start enjoying the show.

In minute 8, Barça had already presented the first check on the board, after an unbeatable start led by Leila Ouahabi and Martens. The full-back filtered a long ball for the Dutch, who beat Endler with great quality with a shot close to the long post. The '22' Barça player was motivated and appeared again in the area half an hour into the game. The second came out of his boots after sending a perfect cross from Graham Hansen to the net, who sat down two defenders coldly after having signed a great play down the right wing.

Meanwhile, PSG sought to do damage upstairs with Geyoro and Katoto, that committed to a defense culé without reproaches of beginning. A solidity that was marred by an oversight that ended up being very damaging for Barça. An error that the Parisians took advantage of to make it 2-1 through Katoto. The French attacker caught a loose ball in the area and gave life to her team before leaving for the locker room.

Controversy for a penalty not called to Barça

PSG grew, but Barça knew how to make them feel inferior again. The Catalans once again dominated the game, the occasions and even the controversy, claiming a penalty after Endler knocked down Alexia Putellas in the area. The level and intensity of either team was not lowered during the entire match. The Catalans liked each other in their offensive proposal, although their enjoyment was frustrated by Endler and the wood. The Chilean goalkeeper avoided goals from Martens and Graham. Meanwhile, Jenni Hermoso and Torrejón sent two shots to the post.

There was also applause in the Barça goal, where Paños put on the heroin cape to save his own in two poisoned shots from Bachmann and Katoto. The Alicante goal withstood with a defensive shield that became even more armed as the minutes passed, with a Mapi León that cut off any approach from the Parisians with all of them. Risks were minimized as an expected end approached, with PSG one goal away from truncating the tie for the Catalans.

The fear could be stopped by means of a Oshoala who failed a heads-up in 90 ' after a final match in which fouls and interruptions increased. Finally, the pass went to the culé team, which is planted in its second European final with greatness and determination. There is no one who can with this Barça in the League this season. And for now there is no one who can against this great team in the Champions League, where they pursue the epic: the first continental title in its history.

Lluís Cortés: “Justice has been done”

The reward for great work: “I feel incredible joy. There are many hours of work and many days of training since the final in Budapest and we really wanted to return as soon as possible better. We stayed very close this summer, but we knew we were there, that there was no distance and that we had to play it. Justice has finally been done with this team. We are very happy to reach the final and do not doubt that we will go to win it “.

Two finals in three years: “It was unthinkable because playing two finals in three years is only available to the great teams and it has been shown that right now Barça is one of the top teams in Europe. We have grown incredibly in recent years and we are here because we deserve it ”.

Go for it all in the final: “This team is prepared to play in all contexts. When I talk about the maturity of this team, this is it. This match a few years ago we would surely have lost and they would have eliminated us, but not now. We are prepared to play against anyone. We have We have to show that we have come this far because we deserve it and that our way of playing is the best. We have to show that with this style we can win the Champions.