New signing Caroline Weir wants to help OL Lyonnes return to the top of women's soccer

Not only did OL Lyonnes miss the chance of a record-extending ninth Women’s Champions League title, the crushing 4-0 loss to Barcelona in last season’s final underlined its rival’s status as the best side in the game

LYON, France -- Not only did OL Lyonnes miss the chance of a record-extending ninth Women's Champions League title, the crushing 4-0 loss to Barcelona in last season's final underlined its rival's ongoing status as the best side in the game.

When goal-scoring midfielder Caroline Weir joined Lyon from Real Madrid in the offseason, she understood how much that loss hurt.

“Everyone that was here last season knows what it took to get there. Obviously the disappointment of that final, I know the players felt that,” Weir told The Associated Press in an interview at the club’s training ground on Monday.

“I’m a new player, I’m here to learn from the players who have that experience. Also the coach (Jonatan Giráldez) has been there and done it.”

The Women's Champions League begins Tuesday and sees 18 teams competing over six match days in the league phase, with the top four advancing to the quarterfinals and the clubs finishing between fifth and 12th entering knockout-phase playoffs.

After shrugging off a minor muscle injury, Weir could make her Lyon debut at Swiss club Servette on Wednesday.

“It starts now,” the 31-year-old Weir said. “It’s exciting that the games are coming a little bit quicker.”

She scored freely in Spain — 20 goals overall last season and 28 during the 2022-23 campaign — and is aware what makes Barca tick.

Painfully so, since Barca crushed Madrid 12-2 on aggregate in last season's quarterfinals. Weir played in the first leg, a 6-2 home loss.

The last five women’s Ballon d’Or awards have been split by Barca players Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati .

“Their mentality, they’ve gained so much experience of winning and I think that tells in their performances,” Weir said of Putellas and Bonmati. “Physically (too), I think that sometimes gets overlooked with the Barcelona team, if you look at their players individually, whether that be speed, strength.”

Barca’s first Champions League title in 2021 ended Lyon’s run of five in a row and, although Lyon won the competition the following year, it has not done so since. Barca has reached the past six finals, winning four.

Weir hopes she can help her club improve in key moments under the guidance of Giráldez, who previously guided Barca to two Champions League titles.