Barça learns from its mistakes and adds a hard-fought victory at the Johan Cruyff

Saint Joan DespiThe first comeback of the season is complete. Barça had the necessary patience to turn around Allegra Poljak's opening goal and add three more points at the Johan Cruyff stadium (4-2) with a hard-fought victory that ended with goals from Vicky López, Esmee Brugts, and Graham Hansen. The blaugranes learned from their mistakes and, unlike other years, did not rush with the score against them.

The absences in defense were not an impediment for Pere Romeu, who reinvented himself once again. Before the match, the coach lost Irene Paredes to a muscle injury in her left soleus that will keep her away from the pitch for two weeks– and Renee van Asten –with a posterior myofascial injury of the right rectus femoris that will keep her away from the field for three weeks–. Two absences that are added to those of Laia Aleixandri –seriously injured–, Aïcha Camara, Carla Julià and Julia Torres –called up by Spain to play in the U-20 World Cup.

The Catalan coach opted for Sydney Schertenleib at right-back, while Patri Guijarro accompanied Martina Fernández in the heart of the defense. One of the natural replacements –Marta Torrejón– started the match on the bench along with Daniela Martínez, Martina González, Júlia Pastor, and Lúa Arufe, reserve team players who also play in that area of the pitch.

An unexpected protagonist in defense

With a very offensive eleven, the 'blaugranes' suffered from long balls behind the center-backs. That is how the 0-1 arrived. Fiamma Benítez connected with Allegra Poljak after a great through ball that the Serbian footballer did not forgive. The Johan Cruyff stadium—far from going silent—cheered the team on to get the equalizer.

Unlike other years, Pere Romeu's team was patient and did not rush. Graham Hansen, one of the most active players at the start of this season, crossed a ball into the box for Vicky López to make it 1-1 on the scoreboard. The 'blaugranes' dominated and pinned Atlético de Madrid in their own half, but the 'matalasseres' countered with great danger every time they managed to advance.

This is where the absences in defense were noticed, although an unexpected protagonist appeared –in defense–. Kerolin was key to avoiding a goal from the 'colchoneras' on two occasions, first from Jensen and then from Luany, one of the players who created the most danger. The Brazilian attacker, committed and focused, managed to bother both rival players –after enduring a run in the open field– to prevent them from shooting comfortably. In the second action, however, controversy arose. Kerolin brought down Luany and David González, Atlético de Madrid's coach, requested a VAR review. The referee, however, did not consider it a punishable action.

At the other goal, Patri Guijarro could also have put the 'blaugranes' ahead before halftime. The captain took advantage of a rival clearance inside the area to shoot, but goalkeeper Lola Gallardo and center-back Xènia Pérez –on the goal line– prevented the goal.

The strategic move leads the comeback

A 2-1 that did not arrive in the first half, but did just after returning from the locker rooms. Once again, the set-piece was important in a women's team match. Graham Hansen took a short corner to Claudia Pina, who sent in a cross that Esmee Brugts finished alone at the far post to turn the scoreboard around.

But the joy lasted little for the 3,207 people present at the Johan Cruyff stadium. When it seemed that the 'blaugranes' had done the hardest part, coming back in the duel, Atlético de Madrid managed to get behind the center-backs again with a long pass to Lucía Rodríguez, who set up the equalizing goal for Synne Jensen.

Once again, Barça had the necessary patience and composure to find the 3-2 after a combination between Kerolin and Claudia Pina that ended with another cross from the footballer from Montcada i Reixac to the back post, where Graham Hansen appeared to put the 'blaugranes' ahead on the scoreboard once more. Esmee scored the fourth in a match that ended with an injury to the opposing goalkeeper Lola Gallardo.

Barça-Atlético de Madrid has long been considered the classic of women's football. The 'matalasser' side, in fact, is the last team that has managed to win a national title from Barça. They have done so on two occasions; at the 2023 Queen's Cup – in which they defeated Real Madrid in the final after Barça was eliminated due to an ineligible lineup – and at the 2021 Spanish Super Cup – in which the Madrilenians overcame the Catalans in the semifinals.

This Saturday, a competitive duel with exchanges of blows on the scoreboard was seen once again. Barça, which finished with three reserve team players on the pitch (Lúa Arufe, Carolina Ferrera, and Mayssa Baha), had to work hard to take the three points. Welcome to competitiveness in the Liga F; let's hope it is not just a one-off.