BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Aitana Bommatti returned from a five-month injury as Barcelona advanced to the Women’s Champions League final for the sixth straight year with a 4-2 win over Bayern Munich on Sunday.
Alexia Putelas scored twice, Salma Pararuelo and Eva Pahor each scored one goal, as Barcelona went up 5-3 on aggregate. The first semi-final was tied 1-1. Last weekend in Munich.
The seven-time Spanish champions will play OL Lyonne in the final on May 23 in Oslo, after the French team. Defeated title holders Arsenal in the semi-finals Saturday.
The biggest cheer from the home fans on Sunday came when Bommatti came on as a substitute in the 68th minute and returned at the end of the game. break her leg. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner fractured her left fibula while training for international duty.
“I’m very happy to be back on this wonderful day,” said Bommati.
Bayern threatened a comeback in the second half. Linda Dalman equalized early on before Pernille Harder pulled one back in the 71st minute to restore hope to Bayern.
As Germany’s strong team launched more attacks, Kato Coll blocked Clara Buhl’s fierce attack with a fingertip save. Dalman also hit the crossbar.
Harder had another goal ruled out by VAR in the second half for a clear foul in the build-up.
Bayern, aiming to advance to the final for the first time, started with almost the same squad from the first leg. Stein Barisager was drafted in as a left-back to replace Franziska Kett, who was sent off for pulling Paleruelo’s hair.
Barcelona took control from the start, with Barisager giving Caroline Graham-Hansen plenty of space to send a cross that Pararuelo met at the far post in the 13th minute.
The visitors hit back on the break four minutes later, with Harder crossing to the unmarked Dalman, who fired a shot inside the left post.
But Barcelona continued to play as usual and regained the lead in the 22nd minute with a low shot from Puteras.
However, despite Barcelona’s attack after attack, there were no more goals before the break. According to UEFA, Bayern scored a total of 33 goals in the first half, compared to seven.
Pahor scored Barça’s third goal in the 55th minute with a header off Pararuelo’s cross, and three minutes later Pteras scored his second, and the result seemed to be in no doubt. But Bayern wasn’t quite done yet.
Barcelona will be hoping to avenge their loss to Arsenal in last year’s final.
“Soccer has these chances. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. But there are also chances and new challenges. This year, the team worked hard to reach the finals once again,” Coach Bommatti said with regret about how his team will compete in the 2025 finals. “It wasn’t the way we wanted it to be, but we have another chance this time.”
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