Barça continues reigning in Europe and adds a new player to the cause

Saint Joan DespiThe Champions League returned to the Johan Cruyff stadium and it did so with another rout by Barça against Paris FC (5-2). Four months after thatMay 23, when the blue and reds touched the sky in Oslo, Barça began their path towards the fifth Champions League in the club's history. The goal is clear: to be in the final that will be played in Warsaw on May 28, 29, or 30. With a renewed team –Alexia Putellas will not play in the top European club competition for the first time in fifteen years–, the Catalans once again dominated on the pitch and on the scoreboard.

And that was despite starting by losing. Viens put Paris FC ahead while the Catalans were worried about a possible injury to Clàudia Pina, who had to be attended to by medical staff off the pitch, but was able to continue without problems. For a moment, the whole stadium froze, thinking that another player might be added to the long list of absences (there were up to seven this Wednesday).

The first person to be on edge was Pere Romeu, who had to juggle the large number of absences with which he arrived at the match. The coach was only able to count on eleven outfield players with first-team registration –and three goalkeepers– for the debut at the Johan Cruyff stadium, which saw a poor turnout. The difficulties in returning by public transport after the match were one of the main reasons why only 2,574 people attended the stadium.

Without Kika Nazareth –with a myoaponeurotic injury to the right rectus femoris that will keep her out for three weeks– or Vicky López –with a myofibrillar injury to the right rectus femoris that will keep her away from the pitch for two weeks–, Pere Romeu recovered Irene Paredes. The Basque centre-back started directly due to the absences in defence which forced Sydney Schertenleib to play again as a right-back, where she once again performed above expectations.

Kerolin's first goal for Barça

Despite trailing on the scoreboard, Barça stuck to the game plan and didn't take long to level the match. Esmee Brugts –twice–, Clàudia Pina, Ewa Pajor, and Graham Hansen all tried, but the one responsible for making it 1-1 was Kerolin Nicoli, who received a great through ball from Clàudia Pina and scored her first goal in a Barça shirt. The Brazilian footballer needed it, having been heavily questioned at the start of this season after being the most expensive signing for Barça Femení (around 1.2 million euros).

Pere Romeu's team excels in many areas, including set-piece plays. A good number of the goals scored at the start of this season have come from strategic actions, and it could not be missed against Paris. Graham Hansen, after many corners, placed a ball to the far post where Clara Serrajordi, who appeared unmarked, shot at goal to turn the score around.

But the 'blaugranes' wanted more, and they have the quality to do so. Patri Guijarro invented a long pass towards Graham Hansen, who got behind Baquerizo, before crossing to set up the goal for Ewa Pajor. The Norwegian –with two assists– also wanted to score, and she achieved it after a long recovery that ended with a long-range shot from the winger, which surprised everyone to make it 4-1. And there was still time for the fifth –after a great backheel pass from Sydney Schertenleib towards Lúa Arufe, who crossed for Pajor's brace– and for Paris's second goal, scored by Clara Mateo.

Barça has great stars, players prepared to appear on big European nights and neither the absences, nor the score against them could prevent seeing a new victory for Pere Romeu's team, who gave a debut to the young youth player Laia Cabetas. The blue and reds imposed themselves on Paris FC 5-2 and start the Champions League just as they finished it: with another goal fest. The first step towards Warsaw has already been taken.