Barça thrashes before hosting Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals

Sant Joan DespíA Barça team with rotations thrashed Sevilla (5-1) before hosting Chelsea on Sunday at the Johan in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. Despite the absences of Aitana and Alexia from the starting line-up, the Blaugranas opened the scoring against the Andalusians five minutes before the half-hour mark and from then on the path was smooth. The youngsters Schertenleib and Alba Caño were in charge of accompanying Patri Guijarro in the midfield, and the Puiggròs-born midfielder would make her first-team scoring debut with a goal in the second half.

Before that, Ewa Pajor would start the scoring, after a few initial minutes in which the Blaugranas were sluggish. Until a cross from Pina would end with the goal for the Polish forward. Less than ten minutes later, Pajor would score a brace, once again beating the goal defended by former Barça player Ester Sullastres. With the score in their favor, the Barça siege would become a constant, but Sevilla would score the last goal of the first half: a mistake by Cata Coll with her feet saw Fatoumata reduce the deficit.

Alexia and Salma, key to improving Barça's game

In the second half, Alexia and Salma replaced Pina and Patri. Their introduction allowed the ball to circulate more fluidly through the Blaugrana midfield. In the 51st minute, a first-touch combination between Alexia and Salma, followed by a subsequent shot from Vicky López, turned the score around again.

Fridolina Rolfö was the star of the show, running down the left flank, and her cross allowed Caño to celebrate his first goal for Barça. There was still time for Aitana Bonmatí, who had replaced Caño, to play just under half an hour and complete the tie with the final goal.