Women’s Champions League final: Lyon captain Wendie Renard on 4-0 loss to Barcelona

Wendie Renard, captain of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, admitted that while the 4-0 scoreline against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday was “heavy,” it did not accurately reflect the match’s true nature. The French defender emphasized that both teams entered the final evenly matched, with world-class players on both sides.

“At key moments, they were clinical,” Renard stated. “We, on the other hand, failed to capitalize when it mattered most. That’s the punishment for not being ruthless enough in front of goal. By the time we scored our first goal, it was already too late—the damage had been done.” She continued, “Barcelona’s counterattacks were relentless in the closing stages. Football is unpredictable, and we must take this as a learning experience. The team has much to improve, but reaching a final is a privilege we must not squander.”

Reflecting on a season of highs and lows

Renard acknowledged that no season follows a perfectly linear path. “This experience is invaluable for a group that still has room to grow,” she said. “While today’s result is disappointing, we must keep pushing forward. The lessons from this final will shape our future performances.”

She concluded with a message of resilience: “This is life. This is football. We must keep working, keep learning, and never stop striving for greatness.”