Barça, with no apparent rival in Spain, hoped to find it outside, in Europe. Although the search was not fruitful: so far, no one has managed to beat the team led by Jonatan Giráldez this season, which led the group stage of the Champions League with a comfortable lead and plenty of points. But the hangover from the Super Cup hit the Catalans, and showed that they also know how to suffer. The closest thing to an opponent was a brave Eintracht Frankfurt and, most surprising, the absence of a classic Barça win in a match that cost and even anguished more than expected (2-0). A vital duel for the Germans, a mere formality for the Catalans, classified in first place even before the start of the match with 23 goals for and only one once morest in the general tally of the table.
2
Cata Coll, Irene Paredes, Ingrid Engen, Ona Batlle, Lucy Bronze, Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatí, Keira Walsh, Salma Paralluelo, Mariona Caldentey and Caroline Graham Hansen
0
Stina Johannes, Sophia Kleinherne, Sara Doorsoun, Verena Hanshaw, Pia-Sophie Wolter, Géraldine Reuteler, Barbara Dunst, Tanja Pawollek, Lara Prasnikar, Nicole Anyomi and Laura Freigang
Goals 1-0 min. 18: Patri Guijarro. 2-0 min. 73: Caroline Graham Hansen.
Referee Deborah Anex
Yellow cards Lisanne Gräwe (min. 61)
The Super Cup they won last Saturday was not present, but the four trophies awarded by FIFA to Aitana Bonmatí – best player – and Keira Walsh and Cata Coll – best eleven – were present. A display of power that did not intimidate Eintracht, with a corner of the field invaded by its fans. Although in the first leg they managed to hold off the current European champion with a goal advantage until half-time, the Germans tried to repeat the method – but not the destination – and came out emboldened, climbing lines, pressing high and creating discomfort with continuous counterattacks once morest a Barcelona lost in ending. Despite having a liberated Hansen, who gave away crosses and more crosses without a sender, Salma Paralluelo – top scorer this season in the Champions League with five goals – was not inspired and got lost in the crowd of legs inside the area.
Also too emboldened was Cata Coll, who left the goal hastily and abandoned herself to the infallible Irene Paredes to prevent the German goal with her chest. The captain, Patri Guijarro, had to claim her presence, calming down and reorganizing following scoring the first of the game with a cross shot. There was no time for celebration: Patri quickly returned to the middle of the field to decide and decree.
Eintracht knew how to tickle a Barcelona team that was more serious than usual, which appreciated the return of Paredes and the rapid learning of Ingrid Engen as a center back. But fatigue had its effect on the Germans, who might not sustain the pace of the first half and dedicated themselves to trying to stop the speed through Ona Batlle’s wing or Graham Hansen’s dribbles. And the Norwegian, an expert in distributing assists – four this season in the European competition – wanted to awaken the chants of Johan Cruyff following an unrecognizable silence. This time she kept the ball to herself, hitting the post and scoring the second.
Continue Barcelona’s unbeatability, continue the path towards Europe. With the quarterfinals more than assured, the biggest obstacles begin. And in the middle of the road, renewals at Marc Vivés’ table, the future of Alexia Putellas – present in the stands along with the rest of the injured women and players from the men’s reserve team – awaiting her recovery and the next announcement of the coach who will replace to Jonatan Giráldez at the end of the season. Until then the showcase may or may not grow. But Barcelona will not be able to allow itself to leave everything to its fate once more, nor allow itself to suffer more than necessary.
