2023/2024: Barcelona Femeni set to take on the new season

Barcelona Femeni finished the season with two titles, an accomplishment only a few clubs across the globe can boast of. A domestic league title and a European title won in dramatic fashion were the highlights of Barcelona’s season in 2022/2023. However, achievements of the past should be left to the pages of history, while the team moves onward in its quest for more glory.

Transfers

Like every other team in the world of football, the summer break is an opportunity for clubs to evaluate their performances from the previous season, and set objectives for the upcoming one. One of the requirements for achieving said goals is reinforcing the squad, a classic out with the old and in with the new philosophy that sees a lot of transfers take place during the break.

Incoming

Barcelona has participated in this summer’s transfer window by selling and buying players. The first signing that Barcelona completed was that of Ona Batlle. The Spanish fullback was brought in on a free transfer from Manchester United.

Also, 20-year-old Dutch star, Esmee Brugts joined the team from PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer after signing a four-year deal after the World Cup.

Outgoing

Barcelona terminated the contract of left back, Nuria Rabano, who ended up joining VFL Wolfsburg for free.

Brazilian forward and former joint Pichichi holder, Geyse Ferreira was sold to Manchester United in a deal worth €300,000. The most lucrative sale ever in the club’s history.

Spanish center back, Laia Codina completed a move to English side, Arsenal after winning the World Cup with Spain. 

Emma Ramirez also left the club after an agreement was reached to terminate her contract, while another World Cup winner, Maria Perez, was loaned out to Sevilla for the season.

Preseason

With a new football season set to kick off in less than a week, Barcelona has been preparing for another busy year since mid-August. The Blaugrana have been playing preseason games one after the other to help get their players in shape and ready for the 2023/2024 season.

Preseason games against Montpellier FC Women in the Joan Gamper festival, and the Mexico Tour where the club played against Club America Femenil and Tigres Femenil all ended in victory for the Blaugrana. The Joan Gamper game ended with a 5-0 scoreline, and the games played in Mexico were won by 2-0 and 1-0 scorelines, respectively. 

The preseason squad featured a mixture of veterans and youth team players, with most of the first team players unavailable for selection as a result of their participation in the recently concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Speaking of absentees, in anticipation of the new season, Barcelona players have been returning to training with the club, with the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Caroline Graham Hansen, Ingrid Engen, and Alexia Putellas currently engaging in preseason games in Mexico.

Barcelona had a lot of players represent their countries in the recently concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup, of which 11 made it to the final. Of the eleven, Alexia Putellas returned to training a bit earlier than expected, Laia Codina has completed her move to Arsenal, and Maria Perez is currently on loan to Sevilla.

The other eight players returned to training yesterday, England’s Keira Walsh, and Lucy Bronze, along with club teammates and World Cup winners, Mariona Caldentey, Irene Paredes, Cata Coll, and Salma Paralluelo. Summer signing Ona Batlle and newly crowned UEFA’s Best Women Player of the Year, Aitana Bonmati, also joined the group.

Primer entrenament de les 8 internacionals ✅ pic.twitter.com/zyTsyq6HDt

— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) September 2, 2023

The 2022/2023 season ended on high notes for Barcelona with the club securing the Liga F title as well as the second European crown in the club’s history. It remains to be seen how the team faces the challenges that comes with the new season.

FC Barcelona Femeni return to action in Liga F on September 10 when they play against Valencia Women at the Estadi Johan Cryuff.