In a rematch of the 2022 Women’s Champions League Final, Barcelona and Lyon will head to the 50,000-seater San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Saturday for a showdown bearing significant importance for both managers.

Holders Barcelona, who beat Wolfsburg in a dramatic 3-2 comeback at last year’s final, will bid farewell to boss Jonatan Giraldez beyond their remaining two league matches next month, as he heads across the pond to take over NWSL side Washington Spirit.

The Spanish side secured a fifth-consecutive Liga F title last week with four games to spare, as well as victory in the Supercopa de Espana Femenina and an 8-0 triumph in the Copa de la Reina to mark a hugely successful final season for the Barcelona boss.

But there is one final hurdle that stands in the way of Giraldez and his search for a quadruple: eight-time UWCL champions Lyon.

Victors of Division 1 Feminine three years in a row, having won the league a record 17 times, Sonia Bompastor’s side represent the main point of contention for Barcelona with the French team going four-for-four against their European neighbours. 

Barcelona and Lyon are set to meet in the Women's Champions League final on Saturday

Their most recent match-up in 2022 ended in heartbreak for Barcelona, UWCL holders at the time, who were tipped for back-to-back titles only to fall to a 3-1 defeat in Turin.

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This time round, even more is at stake, as Barcelona have an opportunity to qualify for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Club World Cup in 2026 with victory over Lyon – and vice versa.

Giraldez will subsequently be vying to go out with a bang, but he is not the only manager determined to finish strongly – as Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor prepares to take the reins from Emma Hayes at Chelsea next season.

With the WSL-side waiting until Saturday’s final whistle to officially confirm Bompastor’s arrival, the Lyon manager will be looking to ensure a clean sweep against her rivals and demonstrate why she is the right choice for the Blues.

Bompastor’s impressive list of accolades speaks for itself, with the French boss becoming the first person to win the Champions League as both a player and a coach following Lyon’s success in 2022.

Leading a squad littered with talent, including the tournament’s all-time top goal-scorer Ada Hegerberg as well as record title-holders Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer, victory for Lyon and Bompastor would confirm a smart choice from Chelsea.

With the WSL-champions yet to get their hands on the UWCL trophy having fallen to Barcelona in the semi-final stages, Bompastor’s move could be the answer to Chelsea’s calls for European glory next season.

Whatever the score come full-time on Saturday, one thing is certain: both Barcelona and Lyon will be left to navigate a fresh start next season with the departure of two vastly successful managers.