Graham Hansen gifts a goal fest to Pere Romeu on the day she reaches 100 matches

BarcelonaTwo matches, two routs. Barça does not forgive on the Sevilla field and continues with a firm step in this start of the Liga F thanks to the goals from Esmee Brugts, Clàudia Pina, Marta Torrejón, and Vicky López (0-4). Graham Hansen was once again the protagonist with two assists in a special match for Pere Romeu. 727 days after sitting on the bench for the first time as head coach of Barça –with a 0-3 victory on the field of Deportivo de la Coruña–, the Catalan coach managed his 100th match at the helm of the blue and garnet team. Throughout these two years, Romeu has lived very sweet moments –such as the triumph in Oslo against his former coaching staff colleague, Jonatan Giráldez, to lift the fifth Champions League of the season– and more bitter moments –such as the defeat a year earlier in Lisbon in the Champions League final against Arsenal.

Eight titles out of nine possible, 92 victories, three draws and only five defeats. Numbers within reach of very few people and that demonstrate the great work that has been done at the Catalan entity throughout the last few years. Romeu –of whom his passion and obsession for tactics are highlighted– has had to reinvent himself as the matches have progressed. The coach made a firm commitment to home-grown players, such as Clara Serrajordi, Aïcha Camara or Carla Julià, to resolve the deficits of a short squad and, this year, he faces the challenge of continuing to win without two of the key figures of recent years: Alexia Putellas and Mapi León. In Seville he made another young player debut: the eighteen-year-old defender Martina González.

Throughout all this time, however, a team with very clear ideas has been seen. Romeu has managed to implement a style of play that does not depend on specific players. Regardless of who is on the pitch, the plan is executed just as the coach demands, and in Seville it was no different. Barça, as usual in the Liga F, dominated and monopolized possession and the first goal did not take long to arrive. Graham Hansen, very active at the start of this season, finished a great play down the right wing with a cross to the far post that Esmee Brugts –starting after a minor injury– finished into the back of the net.

Barça does not forgive

Sevilla tried with long passes towards Andrea Álvarez and Laura Pérez, and in one of them, they were close to finding the equalizer. Álvarez received a through ball with no opposing center-backs, who had gone up to head a corner kick, but Vicky López was very attentive to disturb the attacker and prevent her from even being able to shoot at goal. And when you forgive, Barça clinches the win.

The Andalusians—who had already been saved by a great save from Sullastres to deflect a shot from Sydney Schertenleib onto the post—saw how Graham Hansen put another ball into the box that, on this occasion, was finished by Clàudia Pina to make it 0-2. This was in the second minute of stoppage time in the first half, but there was still time for a third. Marta Torrejón ran into the opposing goalkeeper after a shot from the edge of the area, but was able to add her first goal of the season after finishing a corner kick taken by Graham Hansen. Once again, set-piece actions are paying off for Barça.

Another characteristic hallmark of Pere Romeu also bore fruit in Seville: high pressure. Ewa Pajor and Vicky López recovered a ball in the opposing area and the Madrid native did not forgive in front of Sullastres to debut as a goalscorer this season. Despite the score, the concentration remained intact until the end. Proof of this was the goal disallowed for Laura Pérez due to offside after the blue and garnet defense drew the line to perfection. In addition, the young eighteen-year-old defender, Martina González, was also able to debut with the blue and garnet jersey.

Barça has started the league with a cruising speed that their rivals have not been able to stop so far. Neither the rotations –Patri Guijarro started the match on the bench–, nor the injuries –Aitana Bonmatí or Clara Serrajordi, among others– prevented seeing another rout in Seville, the second of the season. And all led by a man who already accumulates 100 matches on the Blaugrana bench: Pere Romeu. And, for the moment, he will continue until 2028.