Caroline Weir knows exactly what she signed up for when she left Real Madrid for OL Lyonnes this offseason. Lyon's record-extending bid for a ninth Women's Champions League title ended in brutal fashion last season, a 4-0 final defeat to Barcelona that only reinforced the Spanish club's status as the standard-bearer in the women's game.
"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 Giraldez) has been there and done it."
The Women's Champions League begins Tuesday, with 18 teams playing six match days in the league phase. The top four advance straight to the quarterfinals, while clubs finishing between fifth and 12th go into knockout-phase playoffs. Weir, who shrugged off a minor muscle injury, could make her Lyon debut at Swiss club Servette on Wednesday.
"It starts now," the 31-year-old said. "It's exciting that the games are coming a little bit quicker."
A close-up view of Barcelona
Weir scored freely during her time in Spain, netting 20 goals overall last season and 28 in the 2022-23 campaign, and she has felt Barcelona's dominance up close. Barca crushed Real Madrid 12-2 on aggregate in last season's quarterfinals, with Weir featuring in the first leg, a 6-2 home defeat.
"We all know how good they are on the ball," she said.
The last five women's Ballon d'Or awards have gone to 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. "Physically (too), I think that sometimes gets overlooked with the Barcelona team, if you look at their players individually, whether that be speed, strength."
Barcelona's run to the Champions League title in 2021 ended Lyon's streak of five consecutive triumphs. Lyon won it back the following year but has not lifted the trophy since, while Barca has reached the last six finals and won four of them.
Learning under Giraldez
Weir is hoping her new coach, who previously led Barcelona to two Champions League titles, can help Lyon sharpen its edge in the biggest moments.
"The coach has been very clear with me about his expectations and what he likes of me as a player -- impact the game in the final third (of the pitch)," she said. "If that's scoring goals or assisting, that's where I judge my seasons. At the end of the season, I will look at that impact, especially in big games."
Weir's scoring rate has climbed in recent years, including 10 goals in six games for Scotland this year, and she says her game has become more complete since her days at Manchester City. "I was mainly at Manchester City in my time in England. There I learned a lot tactically and then, moving to Spain, I was given quite a free role at Real Madrid which I really enjoyed," she said. "The biggest challenge is to adapt (and) I'm excited to play in a different league."
Michele Kang's pull
One of the reasons behind Weir's move to Lyon was club president Michele Kang, the American businesswoman who also owns Washington Spirit in the NWSL and London City Lionesses.
"Just the way she speaks about the game, I think it's really inspiring," Weir said. "She wants equal opportunities and I think (Lyon's) a really cool club to be at. It was a factor in my decision. She is backing us all the way."
OL Feminin became OL Lyonnes in May last year, a change Kang has previously described to the AP as being about creating "our own identity as a woman's team." Kang has also financed a new female-specific training campus for the club, though Weir points out that not every women's team has enjoyed similar backing, with some having folded altogether.
"The ceiling has been raised a lot but I think we need to keep raising. The lower levels, the access, the facilities. Grassroots level through to the lower tiers of football in all countries," Weir said. "Also, (more) women in coaching roles in football, women in decision-making roles, there's a way to go there."
From Dunfermline playing fields to Scotland captain
Weir grew up in Dunfermline always with a ball close by. "Loving it, enjoying it, going down to training on the local playing fields and being the only girl, scoring goals," she said. "I always had a ball with me, whether that was by myself kicking it against a wall, or in school, or with the boys' team I played for, from age five to 10."
She now captains Scotland, calling it the "biggest honor" of her career, and is focused on leading her country to next year's World Cup. "I feel responsibility. We are obviously going into playoffs next month," she said. "Reaching a major tournament is top of the priorities, alongside the Champions League."
