The future "best nine in the world" guides Barça to Logroño

BarcelonaBarça delivers in Logroño and returns from Las Gaunas with three more points (0-2). The goals from Mayssa Baha, who debuts as a goalscorer, and from Patri Guijarro, with a chip shot from the edge of the area, give the victory to the 'blaugranes'. Pere Romeu made many changes to the starting eleven to distribute minutes and give rest to the players with the heaviest workload, and Aitana Bonmatí returned to play almost four months later.

It is not the first time that the Catalan coach has made rotations in Logroño. Last season, the coach also gave debuts to center-backs Adriana Ranera –who had her first start in the League at Las Gaunas– and Maria Llorella, while on this occasion Romeu bet on defender Martina González and forward Mayssa Baha. Both made their debuts in a starting eleven with the Barça first team. In addition, Carolina Ferrera was a starter for the second consecutive matchday.

A confidence from the coach that had its reward in the form of a goal. Mayssa debuted as a goalscorer in the blue and garnet jersey at only 15 years, 8 months, and 10 days old, becoming the youngest player to score for the first team since the women's Barça was considered an official section of the club (2002) and of the Liga F. The Moroccan forward did so after perfectly finishing off a corner kick taken by Graham Hansen at the near post. Precisely, before the Champions League debut against Paris FC (5-2), Ewa Pajor praised the young Barça footballer. "Mayssa Baha could be the best number nine in the world, but she is still very young. I see something special in her and I will help her grow," assured the Polish player, who ended up playing in the second half with the Moroccan.

The blaugranes, who managed to take the lead on the scoreboard thanks to a set piece, had difficulty breaking down the low block set up by the team from La Rioja. The Catalans dominated and had control of the match, but it was hard to find spaces in a duel with a slow pace. Logroño took advantage of this to approach Gemma Font's goal and, in one of these actions, Velazco fell in the area after Carolina Ferrera grabbed the rival's shirt. Coach Santi García requested a review, but an official rarely changes their mind after seeing the replay on the screen. Las Gaunas was no exception and no penalty was indicated. Nor did she signal a penalty in favor of Barça in the final stretch of the match for a handball inside the area.

Logroño had the equalizer on several occasions –Morcillo hit the crossbar and Isina forced Gemma Font to make a great save– against a Barça side that had a starting eleven very conditioned by absences and with their minds set on the matches on Wednesday the 30th at Roma's ground (6:45 PM, TV3) and Sunday the 4th against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou (5:00 PM, DAZN). But quality is not lost and Patri Guijarro reassured everyone with a great goal to beat goalkeeper Miralles with a chip from the edge of the area.