Barcelona, the dominant team in women’s competitions in Spain and the reigning champions of Liga F, made their debut against a newly promoted Deportivo Abanca, who were unable to overtake the Blaugrana reserve team in the table last season. And who, against all odds, but with great work, put obstacles and difficulties in the way of a gigantic, renewed Barça, who had to rediscover their stars to finally beat Dépor (0-3). The Catalans, for another year, will be their main rivals, and their objective will be to achieve absolute perfection. After winning four titles last season – they won their fifth consecutive league, and the ninth in their history – this season the Blaugranas will aim to repeat and prolong their hegemony, also in Europe. The Barcelona project is a continuation, although with significant absences and attractive new features.
The most obvious one is at the helm: Pere Romeu took over from Jonatan Giráldez after he left for the United States in a great year that culminated with a third Champions League title. Romeu left Giráldez’s staff and at Riazor he showed his similar approach to the game and analytical and adaptive ability, adjusting to the departures and arrivals this summer. Sandra Paños left – replaced in goal by the signing of Ellie Roebuck – and so did Lucy Bronze, who left on a free transfer to Chelsea. But above all, Barcelona will miss Mariona Caldentey, a versatile performer in the shadows with a big gap to fill. To counter the void, the charismatic Portuguese Kika Nazareth landed, who officially debuted in the starting eleven against Dépor and was very active. Alongside her, the Polish Ewa Pajor, a difference-maker who arrived with a clear objective: to occupy the orphaned position of number nine. A goal fetishist in the German league, who also promises to be one in the Spanish league, and who delivered against Deportivo with a double.
At Riazor, Romeu wanted to reward the players who were present during the pre-season and give the Olympians a rest, who had accumulated a lot of minutes in their legs. But a good first half by Depor with a very tight defence prevented the Catalans from moving. The Barça midfield did not gel, preventing Pajor, Rolfö and Graham Hansen from appearing and reaching the break without clear chances for them. So in the second half three Ballon d’Or winners came on to solve the jam: Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas. The first, with the renewal closer than ever. The second, with her injury and relapse at the back, without ghosts after a season of doubts and with a year in which she promises to reign again.
With both stars on the pitch, Barcelona returned to their usual form. Mapi León, who returned to captaincy after missing much of last season, showed her defensive and offensive importance with a cross that was solved by Ewa Pajor. With the entry of Ona Batlle and Patri Guijarro, Barcelona gained strength and definitively calmed their rival. The classic trident in the centre of the field also reappeared – Alexia, Aitana and Patri, who had lost presence a year ago due to the injury of Barça’s number 11 and the level of Keira Walsh. And throughout the match, Esmee Brugts stood out in particular, having had a great pre-season and scoring the second in Riazor with a great assist from Alexia. A blow on the table on the first day of the season that promises to be her consolidation after the adaptation of last year.
The great individual quality of the squad sets Barcelona apart from the rest of the teams in the league, and this year it has materialised with six Barça players nominated for the Ballon d’Or, which has been Barça’s property for three years in a row: Alexia, Aitana, Salma Paralluelo, Patri, Graham and the recently arrived Pajor. At Riazor, after some adjustments, she once again demonstrated that this year everything can be hers. Once again, a new era.
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