Barcelona are on the verge of a sixth consecutive UEFA Women’s Champions League final as they prepare for upcoming semis opponents Bayern Munich.
The three-time European champions lost out last season to Arsenal, in what some labelled a shock result for the previously reigning champions.
Barcelona star Esmee Brugts spoke to the media ahead of her side’s blockbuster semi-final against Bayern. The dynamic Dutch international has played in several positions across this campaign, contributing four goals and two assists.
The playmaking defender is in her third season at El Femení Culers and is looking to attain her second UWCL winners’ medal. Having already won six competitions at the club since joining in 2023, it’s clear to see the culture of the club heavily revolves around winning.
For Brugts, the UWCL is the pinnacle of competition. Speaking ahead of Barca’s clash with Bayern Munich, she said: “I mean, it’s the most exciting competition there is. You can measure yourself in Europe, and we are known to be one of the top competitors. So yes, that comes with a lot of pressure. That though, is something beautiful.”
Brugts has had immense success in her career but acknowledges that football can’t and won’t always be a fairytale story.
“Football can be crazy. It can be a lot of fun at times but it can also be quite sad. In my case at Barcelona, I’ve been very happy, and yeah a lot of things have happened for me in the last two-and-a-half years.”
Brugts was part of the team that lost in incredible fashion to Arsenal in the 2025 UWCL final. Stina Blackstenius’ goal was the only difference between the sides, despite Barcelona having 20 shots and Arsenal just eight.
MARCH 19: Alexia Putellas of FC Barcelona speaks to team mate Esmee Brugts during the UEFA Women’s Champions League on March 19, 2025. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
A team like Barcelona though tend to only come back stronger after defeat. The side stand 13 points clear at the top of Liga F, alongside finishing in first place of the UWCL group stage.
“That makes you hungry.” Brugts confessed. “As a top athlete, you are hungry to go for more. I think I’m surrounded by such players that are also never satisfied with what we have. We always want more and I learn so much by being surrounded by these teammates.”
This is the first sesaon the UEFA Women’s Champions League has been played out under the new group stage format. The competition shifted from a 16 team multi-group stage to a singular 18 team group, with some teams automatically progressing to the next stage and others facing play-offs.
Under the new format, the clubs face fixtures against six different teams in the league phase, playing half of those matches at home and half of them away. There has been a mostly positive reaction from teams, players and fans alike around the new system.
“For me it doesn’t matter, I just really love to play.” Brugts admitted. “I think everybody in Barcelona agrees. I do think it’s a lot more competitive in this format, which has been really nice as a player. It’s also good for the fans, it’s attractive to watch. I would say it’s really good that we made this development, but I always enjoy football.”
German champions Bayern Munich defeated Manchester United twice in the quarter finals to face-off against Barcelona for a spot in the final. The teams faced each other in the group stage, where the Spanish side dealt Bayern one of the heaviest defeats in UWCL history, with the game finishing 7-1.
However, Brugts is aware the repeat fixtures are unlikely to be as comfortable as that victory.
“I mean, of course we go into these games trying to win, there’s a lot of pressure on us. Maybe people will think about the last game but we’re trying not to as a group.
“It’s going to be a game where both teams probably have many chances. Of course I hope to go in as focussed as we did the last game, to score a goal early again, but of course they will have learned from that. I think that’s football, prepare as best as possible and to be focussed is our main priority.”
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 25: Esmee Brugts of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring her team’s first goal with teammate Alexia Putellas during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 25, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Esmee Brugts is the living, breathing definition of a shapeshifter. The talented defender can play anywhere across the back, and even step out into midfield. She brings goals and assists to a campaign and doesn’t look out of place further up the pitch. The 22-year-old is more than aware of her utility player talents.