Graham Hansen shows in Rome why it is eternal

RomeTwo matches, two victories. Barça does not forgive in Rome and will arrive at Sunday's classic at the Camp Nou (17:00, DAZN) after another triumph, the seventh of the season (0-6). Graham Hansen once again put on a show in the eternal city—as Rome is known for the large number of historical monuments it has—and once again demonstrated why she continues to be one of the most destabilizing footballers of the present day.

On the outskirts of Rome –where the Tre Fontane stadium is located, the usual venue where the women's team plays–, Barça continued its path towards Warsaw. After the initial triumph against Paris FC (5-2), the blaugranes imposed themselves on the Italian side in a setting where they already managed to take all three points last year (0-4 victory). The Norwegian winger opened the scoring after a great individual play, generated the second goal of the match, and put the icing on the cake with the fourth, while Claudia Pina scored a brace to complete the five. Ewa Pajor scored the sixth.

Good attendance at the Tre Fontane stadium, where there were also some Barça fans, who played their part from the stands. Every fall of the local players was protested with vehemence, while every time the blaugranes lost a ball it was highly celebrated by the fans. Despite this, on the pitch only one team was in command –Barça– and, especially, one player –Graham Hansen–. The Norwegian footballer, who has started the season at a great level, began to overcome rivals until she reached the inside of the area, where she defined to perfection to break the tie on the scoreboard.

Although Barça was the one dominating the match, Pere Romeu was not convinced by what he was seeing on the pitch. The Catalan coach was very incisive with his players during the first moments of the clash, correcting everything that he did not like. The 'blaugranes', who were very active in pressing after losing the ball, suffered with some quick transitions from Roma, who attacked especially down the right flank with Thogersen.

But Graham Hansen kept at it, and took hold of a new ball to generate the second goal. The Norwegian put in a cross towards Claudia Pina, but Oladipo, in the attempt to clear the ball for a corner, ended up scoring an own goal. And she was still close to generating the third, but Kerolin could not finish and Pina's shot was saved by a Roma defender on the goal line. A goal that arrived in the second half.

Day of returns

Romeu made the necessary adjustments and Barça came out with much clearer ideas after heading to the locker room. Corrections that bore fruit with a recovery by Clara Serrajordi in the opposing half that Pina did not waste this time. Patri Guijarro also wanted to join the party with a shot from midfield, but goalkeeper Baldi managed to react in time to avoid a wonder goal from the Blaugrana captain.

For her part, Graham Hansen provided one last service –before being substituted by Aitana Bonmatí, who had her first minutes in this edition of the Champions League– after an excellent through ball from Serrajordi. Hansen had the necessary patience to stop in her tracks inside the area, dribble past the two defenders and finish to perfection, as did Pina minutes later to make it 0-5 on the scoreboard. A comfortable victory for Barça, which was closed with a final goal from Ewa Pajor, in the return of Aïcha Camara –with a great defensive action included–, Carla Julià and Rosalía Domínguez after being U-20 world champions and of Renee van Asten after injury.