Damaris Egurrola (Orlando, 1996) She came to Lyon from Everton after paying 100,000 euros and with the banner of being one of the best young players on the international scene. The former Athletic Club it sounded for Barcelona, the club they face this Saturday in the Champions League final.
Ask. He sounded strong to reinforce Barcelona two summers ago, but in the end he went to England.
Response. It’s been quite a while since that. They were very difficult times and he does not deserve to talk about the past. Thanks to my time at Everton, I am now at Lyon and I am happy here. It’s the only thing that matters to me.
P. How are you living these days before the final? A lot of linden?
R. I don’t like lime! [Risas] Obviously it will be a special match because it is the first Champions League final that I play, but the truth is that I don’t care if the match ahead is a League match or a final because I try to be myself. I like to rest well and have time for myself. I like to concentrate on what is important without anyone bothering me. This week I have not changed my routines, for me it has been one more.
Q. How do you see the final?
R. I think both teams arrived at a good moment and it is at 50%. In a final it doesn’t matter who arrives as the favourite, it matters what happens on the pitch. We have a very strong group and a lot of confidence in our possibilities. I think it will be important to go out with a lot of intensity, control the playing time and get them to have the ball as little as possible.
P. Which players would you highlight from Barcelona?
R. The importance of Aitana in this Barcelona is not valued enough. He is the one who gives the dynamism, the rhythm of the game with which to break the matches. Also Patri and Mariona can break up a match.
P. You know them well because you coincided with them in the inferiors of the selection.
R. They are good friends with whom I have contact often. Less when we play against. The same thing happened to me when I played for Athletic Club, the previous week we didn’t want to know anything about each other.
P. Do you think that Barça has the best midfield in the world?
R. They have great players, but my team’s is better [Risas].
P. It will be the reissue of the 2019 final. What memories do you have of that final?
R. I saw it at home with my father. The truth is that before signing with Lyon I used to watch all their games. I used to go crazy looking for a pirate link to watch them online! From that final I remember the three goals from Ada (Hegerberg), the one from Marozsán, the superiority they conveyed… They were my idols and now I share a dressing room with them.
Q. Who has surprised you the most on a day-to-day basis?
R. It is difficult to highlight one because they have all made my integration easy. When I arrived I was very surprised by Wendie (Renard) because she commanded a lot of respect from me. She always seemed so serious and with that physique… However, she is the opposite, a very close companion, friendly, the first one who puts on the music. If she even likes music in Spanish! Ada is an older sister to me, she is always aware of what I do and worried that she is well; and Endler also makes me feel sheltered since she arrived.
P. Lyon is out for this Marozsán final due to a break in the crusader.
R. She is a very important player for us with unique and special qualities. In addition, as with other teammates of hers, she has the experience of playing Champions League finals and that is a plus. It has been hard because whenever there is a serious injury we have a bad time, but it is one more reason to want to win the final and be able to dedicate it to him.
P. You also suffered a torn ankle ligament that took you three months without playing. How is it going?
R. Fortunately, I am fully recovered, but it is a pity that it came to me at the time when I was feeling the best. I worked to come back even better than I was back then. I have the confidence of the coach (Bompastor) and my teammates and that makes it easier. Luckily I have arrived in time to play the last games of the season where everything is at stake.
P. Everything indicates that the Juventus Stadium (capacity for 41,507 spectators) is going to be close to full.
R. That is great news. Barcelona have already enjoyed two world records this season in the Champions League and will now bring a large crowd to Turin. That is not only good for Barça but also for women’s football in general. Every day that passes we are better prepared and feeling the support of the full stands is a plus for all of us. Hopefully it will be like that and we will see a spectacular atmosphere in the final.