The reigning champion team. The world’s best players visit. A plethora of national team players and several WC gold medalists.
After two losses out of two possible – Eintracht Frankfurt (1–2) and Benfica (0–1) – the toughest possible opposition awaited Rosengård in the Champions League in the form of Barcelona.
Malmöklubben then had a long list of injuries. Compared to the Benfica match at the end of November, it had been filled with players such as Mai Kadowaki and Caroline Seger, who recently announced that her 18-year national team career is over.
Despite the initial situation against the world’s best club team, Rosengård made one of his absolute best efforts in the Champions League in recent years during a longer period of the first half.
In front of 4,122 spectators at Malmö IP, the home players were right on the defensive and were able to change a couple of times and threaten the big Catalan club, which was missing the long-term injured Swedish national team star Fridolina Rolfö.
However, an unlucky own goal would help the visitors on their way. In the 16th minute, Rosengårdsbacken Jessica Wik unluckily headed in a cross from Aitana Bonmatí – last fall named the world’s best soccer player and a leading figure when Spain won World Cup gold this summer.
Almost immediately after kick-off, Rosengård came very close to equalizing, but Barcelona goalkeeper Sandra Paños managed to direct Hanna Andersson’s long-range shot into the crossbar.
After just over half an hour, however, the Barcelona engine kicked into gear and after Salma Paralluelo scored 2-0 in the 37th minute, it was over for Rosengård.
Just before the break, 3-0 also came when Patri Guijarro was given too much time and space to send in a long shot behind home goalkeeper Angel Mukasa.
After just over an hour, Bonmatí lobbed in 4-0 and with just over a quarter of an hour left to play, Mariona Caldentey made it 5-0 on penalties. In extra time, 6-0 also fell on corners through Martina.
Half way into the group stage Rosengård remains on zero points and next week – four days before Christmas Eve – Barcelona will once again be waiting away from home. Barcelona stands on a maximum of nine points and an impressive 14-1 in goal difference. The last two group stage matches will be played in January.
2023-12-13 20:08:32
#Barcelona #beat #Rosengård
