The first Clásico at Barça’s home is for the Catalans, a 4 to 1 victory and nd the team increase their lead in the Primera Iberdrola. Another win and another memorable performance by the team.
The big event is the first Clásico at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, where Barça host Real Madrid Femenino for the first time at home. The second chapter of a rivalry that for the two institutions that they are, is historical and unique. Now it’s up to them to give it that meaning and write the history of this new rivalry.
Barça wanted to expand their league advantage and maintain their full victories. Lluís Cortés came out with this XI: Paños, Marta, Pereira, Mapi, Leila, Alexia, Patri, Jenni Hermoso, Graham, Oshoala, Mariona.
The idea and the game are the same despite variations in the starting eleven, the central defenders always with creative responsibilities and with corrective capacities that are the life insurance of this team. Marta and Leila as full-backs work always accompanying their midfielders and forwards on the wing, key in playing the ball from the back. The midfield begins with Patri who moves the strings of the team with vitality and dictating the rhythm, accompanied by Alexia who is more personality than anything else, transmitting that superiority of a leader with and without the ball and superlative quality.
When it comes to the third midfielder on paper, it’s Hermoso but with the ball in play, it’s Mariona who makes that position her own. Constant changes between ’10’ and ‘9’ make them create the game between the lines and make the rival defence dizzy with the freedom and intelligence they play. Oshoala is a nine is always a constant threat and above all an advantage in fast transitions.
The game started with a high rhythm and intensity because the two teams were looking for the ball but above all, they prioritized pressure after loss and well ahead. At first, Real Madrid did not expect the Catalans and tried to go after them, without success and clear chances.
In a play close to the area it seems that Alexia decided to show his solidarity to Leo Messi with a goal very much in the style of the Argentine, cutting inside and beating the distant corner. And who if not Alexia to inaugurate the first goal in a Clásico at home because that of opening with goals and appearing in important moments is always about her. From the goal everything changed, the visitors began to feel increasingly uncomfortable and without reaction time came the second goal. This time from Jenni Hermoso after Asisat Oshoala’s move.
Barça is always comfortable with the ball but without the tranquillity that controls often gives, to the shout of ‘calm’ by Lluís Cortés. With overwhelming solvency and security came the third made in the boots of Alexia who recovers in an advanced position and filters a pass to Graham who wins the position and gives the goal to Oshoala. The Norwegian thus signs her twelfth assist of the season.
The second half was more of the same and Barça hungry to win as if the score was still zero. Oshoala doubles with a bit of luck and the match practically sentenced but with an unfair goal conceded after an action inside the area where Mapi León takes the ball but the referee gives a penalty. The Barça central defender ends up sent off.
The strength and collective communion make this Barcelona the infallible team that it is and if you add the individual quality to this. Hopefully, everything was as easy as watching Barça women and enjoy.
