Straight
It has been almost a year since Barcelona hosted a women’s classic since that historic return of the Champions League quarter-finals in a record-breaking attendance (91,553 spectators). And a year later, Barça continue to set a record, increasing their league winning streak to 58 games in Johan Cruyff, also a record (5,569 viewers). There, a victory was celebrated that increased Barça’s lead to 13 points and left Los Blancos three consecutive games without a win or a goal despite a great game.
FCBFFC Barcelona female
1
Sandra Paños, Fridolina Rolfö, Lucy Bronze, Mapi León, Marta Torrejón, Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatí, Ingrid Engen, Geyse Ferreira, Salma Paralluelo and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic
0
Misa, Kathellen, Kenti Robles, Ivana Andrés, Sofie Svava, Claudia Zornoza, Sandie Toletti, Linda Caicedo, Maite Oroz, Esther González and Caroline Weir
Goals 1-0 min. 77: Fridolina Rolfö.
referee Olatz Rivera Olmedo
Yellow cards Claudia Zornoza (min. 43), Geyse Ferreira (min. 45) and Athenea del Castillo (min. 75)
The 10-point gap with which Barça reached the classic gave way to rotations in the two-a-side, also motivated by the load of games and the recent suspension of selections. For the culé part, Paredes, Oshoala and Graham stayed on the bench and thought about next Thursday’s Champions League quarterfinal game at the Camp Nou against Roma (0-1 in the first leg). For White, Toril surprised by leaving Athenea and Olga on the bench, the result of accumulated fatigue.
The game started with the dominance of the culés and a great presence in the game from Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro and Engen, who took advantage of their entry into the starting XI. However, while Madrid tried to get out with the ball played, they failed to advance against a very busy and active culé midfielder. The first part went without clear chances; Barça, who failed in the last pass, could not dangerously reach Misa’s goal.
Halfway through the first part and despite the encouragement of the culé fans, the Blaugrana could not find a way to hurt Madrid, who had defended well and who, in the last minutes of the first half, were losing their complexes with control of the ball and with timid arrivals at the Barça goal.
The second half started with a more intense Barça, but without poison, which still allowed White to create danger. Therefore, Giráldez did not speculate. He made a triple change to win the game and league. Graham Hansen, Walsh and Oshoala for Crnogorcevic, Engen and Geyse. Meanwhile, Toril tried to freshen up with Feller’s entry for Esther. Barça ended rotations and took out Paredes for Marta Torrejón, installing the side that played in Rome. Madrid showed no signs of fatigue or weakness. However, Giráldez’s changes went into effect. Hansen had the clearest chance with a header in front of Misa, which went off the middle. Madrid demanded the entry of Athenea and Olga and both did so in the 70th minute to give the Whites the missing spark.
Barça kept sinking Madrid more and Athenea would be the protagonist but in her area after knocking down Paralluelo with 15 minutes left of the game. Referee Olatz Rivera indicated a penalty and Rolfö would be responsible for beating Misa, raising the winning record to 58 and ending the league. In the final minutes, a desperate Madrid player tried unsuccessfully to level the game. The Culés sought the target of calm in a Johan Cruyff already celebrating victory over his eternal rival.
The Culés take a classic that is becoming increasingly balanced, they are 13 points clear of Madrid with seven days to go. The white team could see second place in jeopardy if Levante manage to beat Real Sociedad this Sunday. For their part, the Culés leave the league practically at the end to focus on the main goal of the season: winning the Champions League.
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