Barcelona have urged Real Madrid to set up a women's team to help the game grow in Spain.

Barcelona Femenio are looking to become the first Spanish side to the win Women's Uefa Champions League but face heavy favourites Lyon on Saturday.

The women's game has benefited from increased televised matches this season but the level of competition could be improved upon as Barcelona and champions Atletico Madrid finished 21 and 27 points ahead of third-placed Levante.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in 2017 hinted at a Real Madrid women's team the following year and Barca vice-president Jordi Mestre says their Clasico rivals must step up.

"It's obvious that the league can be improved," Mestre told ESPN FC. "In fact, we know the federation are already going down that path. A lot of games are on television now which weren't before. That brings more visibility and more interest in terms of the public, sponsors and everything else.

"On a sporting level, it must be said that there are teams that have worked really hard on their women's sides: Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Atletico. So there is competition there. But it's a shame -- from my point of view -- that Real Madrid, as a club, do not have a team.

"There's a team called Madrid but it's nothing to do with the club. I think it would be really good for women's football. It would add the competitiveness of the Clasico. There are already a lot of Primera Division sides with a women's team. A Clasico would surely generate a lot more interest as well.

"I think for women's football it would be a huge attraction. But each club has their own projects and their own strategy. If Real Madrid don't have a women's team at the moment, I suppose it's because they don't consider it an interesting project."