The other offensive opportunity that Barça has learned to squeeze

Rome"We have had a difficult initial stretch of the season, despite winning the matches. Through our play, we try to be superior and generate more than our opponent, but there are duels in which the score is opened or settled through set pieces," assessed Pere Romeu in the preview of the duel at Roma's ground corresponding to the second matchday of the Champions League group stage (18:45, TV3). "For me, it is very important because we are a team that attacks a lot and, therefore, we have more options to generate danger through set-piece plays. We have convinced the team to see it as an opportunity," defended the coach.

Although last season it already started to bear more fruit than other years, in the first six games of the season Barça has scored eight goals from corners (31% of the total goals scored). Renee van Asten, Irene Paredes, Marta Torrejón, Esmee Brugts –twice–, Carolina Ferrera, Mayssa Baha and Clara Serrajordi have been in charge of converting these set-piece plays. “Strategy is a fundamental part of the game. Marc Soler and Enric Lluch do a very good job,” highlighted Romeu, regarding two of the members of the coaching staff.

One of the footballers who can best take advantage of these actions is Irene Paredes. “It has always been worked on very well, but last season it already started to bear more fruit. It is a collective issue, too, but what each player must do is worked on very well. It is an important part of the game,” the Basque centre-back assessed to ARA.

Irene Paredes leads the defence

Paredes leads a rejuvenated defense that wants to continue winning in Europe. “I am happy to be an important piece, but we hope to correct things to do well and not concede so many goals,” assures the demanding center-back, who highlights the difficulty of the duel at Roma's home. “It is a complicated trip, also because we have many games in a row." For her part, Romeu added: "The Champions League is difficult, whoever the opponent is. Roma is an aggressive team that presses high, but we will see if they do the same as always or change their approach."

The blaugrana also acknowledged that it has been good for them to have a summer free of competitions to "rest the body and the mind". "I am very eager to be able to perform well individually and collectively and with a hunger to win titles," she states. Paredes also expressed her excitement about continuing at Barça, even though her contract ends this season.

The defense is recovering personnel

Until now, Pere Romeu has had to rely on youth team players like Martina González or Lúa Arufe or repurpose players like Sydney Schertenleib, who has been performing—with good grades—as a right-back. "I value our month of September highly. We have played with footballers who have trained very little, as we had limited availability, whether due to injuries, the U-20 World Cup, or because we had to juggle to ensure the youth teams had available squad spots. We are ourselves again as a team and that makes me feel very happy," highlighted Romeu.

Aïcha Camara, Carla Julià, and Noa Jiménez (in addition to midfielder Rosalía Domínguez) have rejoined after being crowned U-20 world champions with the Spanish national team on Sunday. "They come with significant experience, we need their performance, and we hope to keep recovering more players each time," assured Paredes.

Renee van Asten has also traveled to the Italian capital, already recovered from her injury. “There is a lot of movement, but it is easy to play with Martina Fernández or Renee Van Asten,” admits Paredes. The veteran also remarks that they must continue working to improve. “There are things left to correct and adjustments must be made. A complicated week lies ahead of us, in which we will have to do very well not to concede goals,” she concluded.