Pere Romeu: “Labels out; humility, work and performance”

The coach of FC Barcelona Femení, Pere Romeu, has appealed this Friday to humility and collective work ahead of the final of the Women’s Champions League against OL Lyonnes, at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo (Norway), a duel that he foresees will be very close and that he believes will be resolved by small details between the two best teams in Europe at the moment.

“Labels out; humility, work, teamwork and a good individual performance, which will surely be very important tomorrow, to try to lift the Cup by playing the best game possible,” said Romeu in the press conference prior to the final.

He assured that the team is “very happy” to be able to be in another ‘Champions’ final. “We are facing a great team and the details are going to be very important. We hope they fall on our side. We have a very defined game plan and, if we are able to execute it, we will be closer to achieving our goal,” he said.

Romeu insisted on moving away from any label of favoritism. “It’s a final and many things happen. We leave favoritism to you. Tomorrow two great teams face each other, with their strengths and weaknesses. Whoever manages to dominate the most moments of the game will win,” he summarized.

The Catalan coach explained that the key will also be the ability to adapt during the match. “We are going with a very clear match plan and so are they. But a final always presents different scenarios. We have spoken a lot with the players about the importance of taking the game towards our field and being prepared for different situations. If you reach a final without having considered alternative scenarios, that does not help you,” he argued.

In this sense, he considers that the team has grown significantly during the season. “I see a more mature team than last year and with a greater capacity to change things during the games. We have experienced complex situations, with long-term injuries to very important players and with young players having to assume responsibilities in very demanding scenarios. All of this has made us grow a lot,” he stated.

For Romeu, regardless of what happens this Saturday, the season already leaves reasons for satisfaction. “I am aware that in sport everything is often judged by the result of a final, but for me the season has been very good. One of the great rewards we have had this year has been seeing very young players establish themselves in the first team and compete in top-level matches. That has enormous merit on the part of the club, the players and the coaching staff,” he highlighted.

He also vindicated the evolution of several young youth players and the collective work carried out during the course. “I am very happy with how we have played this season and to see the progression of many players. It speaks highly of the staff, but especially of the more experienced players, who have helped the young players a lot to grow. For me that is also a success.”

Asked about the learning he learned from last year’s lost final, Romeu assured that the team is now better prepared. “A final never guarantees you anything, no matter how well you arrive. But I prefer to arrive at a good time than to do so with doubts. We have grown a lot at a competitive level and in our ability to adapt to the different contexts that appear during a match,” he commented.

The coach insisted on the importance of entering the match well. “We have worked to come out very strong from minute one. In a final it is important to make as few mistakes as possible at the beginning to settle well into the match. If we manage to dominate those first moments, we will be closer to controlling the rest of the final, which is what we want,” he noted.

Regarding the prestige of both clubs and the multiple stars they will bring together on the pitch, he downplayed the importance of the background. “The individual awards, the Ballons d’Or or the honors are there because they have been earned. But tomorrow is a final. If the rival were another team, we would leave with exactly the same enthusiasm, the same desire and the same humility,” he said.

Romeu also spoke about his reunion with Jonatan Giráldez, coach of the French team and former Barça coach, for whom he was his assistant. “I am very excited to face Jonatan. During the time we worked together he allowed me to participate a lot in the construction of the game model, in the game plans and in the day-to-day life. We learned things from each other and I am convinced that we will both continue to grow as coaches,” he explained.

Regarding the profile of OL Lyonnes, he refused to reduce it solely to his physical potential. “It would be a mistake to think that they are only a physical team. They are a very complete team. They have the ability to run, to counterattack and to impose themselves physically, but also many other virtues. In the same way, we are much more than a team that wants to have possession. Both teams have a lot of resources and that is why I expect a very close match,” he indicated.

Regarding the physical condition of Caroline Graham Hansen and Irene Paredes, he confirmed that both are evolving favorably. “They are two very important players for us. Caroline is doing quite well and we still have this last training session. We are optimistic about both of them,” he concluded.