The CL Final has shown a number of things. The standard of top European football has risen much higher than the WSL. Granted, Barcelona are not short of money or top class resources but the fact is that nearly all the players were Spanish, and most of them brought up through their academy. Compare that to Chelsea's imported talent. For all the talk of the WSL being a shining beacon it looks a little pale now. It seems that the NWSL of America still has a big draw (two City players are off this season). The real state of play is revealed.
Chelsea are a good team, no doubt, but they were a yard slower, a touch poorer and tactically second best. Yes, they may not have had their best XI available but they were shredded down both wings and found the midfield almost impenetrable. I thought former Vixen Sophie Ingle was a lost soul for much of the game and the Kirby/Kerr partnership was unable to make any real impression.
Giving a freak own goal away in the first minute and suffering a soft penalty shorly after made for a comfortable match for a side who were clearly well drilled and in a familiar pattern. Typically Spanish, and difficult to deal with when on top.
One thing that crossed my mind is that City (as Academy) beat Barca at Ashton Gate seven years ago. Look how the two clubs have progressed.