New stage, same traditions: Barça's thrashing to kick off a new season

Sant Joan DespíNew season, new challenges, and new players, but the same ambition and the same result. Barça beat Costa Adeje Tenerife and already have the first three points of the season in Liga F (5-0). There are traditions that, even though the years pass and the squad changes, are never lost. Graham Hansen opened the scoring with a pass from Claudia Pina, who also joined the goal-scoring party. Ewa Pajor, Van Asten, and Irene Paredes completed the rout.

With the excitement of someone facing a new adventure, Pere Romeu's Barça came out to press and dominate the match against a Canary Islands team that looked for long balls towards Carlota Suárez and Marina Martí. There was also excitement among the young footballers who debuted in an official match at the Johan Cruyff; Renee van Asten, Kerolin, Mayssa Baha, Carolina Ferrera, Elena Vizuete and Lúa Arufe, the academy player who, due to defensive absences, Romeu converted into a full-back – her natural position is winger.

The Galician player had already debuted in December at Paris FC's ground in the Champions League. This Sunday, however, she played her first minutes in Liga F. A clear statement of intent from the Catalan coach; convinced that the young players will once again play a key role in a short squad.

Injuries –Laia Aleixandri, Aitana Bonmatí, Kika Nazareth, Clara Serrajordi, Esmee Brugts and Gemma Font– and players called up for the U20 World Cup –Aïcha Cámara, Carla Julià, Noa Jiménez or Julia Torres, among the most notable– forced Romeu to make defensive adjustments; with Martina at right-back and Arufe on the left flank. On the bench, the coach only had Kerolin and Marta Torrejón as first-team outfield players.

Although it had been more than three months since an official match was played at the Johan Cruyff, attendance was the major area for improvement in the debut of the new official season. Only 2,458 people traveled to Sant Joan Despí to cheer on the team. A fanbase that, however, did not hold back their voices and gave a standing ovation to Renee van Asten and Kerolin in their first match with the blaugrana shirt.

Graham Hansen activates his best version

Graham Hansen put the Blaugranes ahead after an assist from Claudia Pina, who minutes later found the net with a great shot from the edge of the area. The player from Montcada i Reixac finished last season as the league's top scorer. In the second half, Ewa Pajor got ahead of Noelia Ramos to head home a cross from Graham Hansen.

A Barça that again had many attacking options. Set pieces, which were important last year, reappeared, twofold. The Norwegian winger – in charge of taking all the corners – connected with Ewa Pajor at the near post, but Noelia Ramos stopped the Polish forward's header before it hit the crossbar. Fortunately for the Blaugranes, Van Asten appeared at the far post to score the 4-0, the 4,000th goal for Barça in official competition. Irene Paredes scored the fifth after heading in a corner taken by Graham Hansen at the far post.

The blaugranes showed their best version, as if the summer hadn't passed, and ended up beating Tenerife 5-0. A difference that could have been greater if it weren't for Noelia Ramos's saves. The Canary team's goalkeeper prevented goals from Martina Fernández, Vicky López, and Lúa Arufe, among others. The match ended with a final controversy after Yerai Martín – with the score at 5-0 – requested a VAR review – in the Liga F each coach has two – for a possible red card for Martina Fernández for pulling Violeta Quiles' hair. After a very long review, which provoked Pere Romeu's indignation, the referee considered it was only a foul, with no more serious punishment.