Barcelona Femeni continue winning run in victory over Athletic Club

Matchday 10 in the Liga F was filled with action as Barcelona defeated Athletic Club 4-0 away from home. A growing list of injuries saw Barcelona head into the game without the services of some key players and have to field a heavily rotated squad while playing in the Basque region.

Regardless of the injury woes that plague the team, the Blaugrana were able to secure their tenth victory in the league this season, continuing their winning run and maintaining their lead at the top of the table. Goals from Marta Torrejon, Patri Guijarro, and Aitana Bonmati helped the Catalan queens to a 4-0 victory.

First Half

Athletic Club started the game strongly and matched Barcelona for intensity, even having long spells where they kept possession of the ball. Their resistance though was eventually broken by the league leaders whose perfect blend of youth and experience put up an amazing performance.

After various threats on goal were nullified by the Athletic defense, captain of the day Marta Torrejon came very close to opening the scoring with a shot from the edge of the box that was saved by the goalkeeper. A series of play from the resulting corner however lead to the first goal and the veteran defender was on hand to complete the job.

Caroline Graham Hansen swung in a beautiful delivery into the box and Marta Torrejon was in position to direct the ball into the net to give Barcelona the lead.

Shortly after scoring the opener, the captain came close to replicating the first goal but missed her attempted header from another Graham Hansen delivery. 

On the stroke of halftime, Barcelona took a corner kick that had Marta Torrejon once again sending a header through on goal but saw her attempt saved by the goalkeeper.

Barcelona went into the tunnel at halftime leading by a single goal courtesy of their captain.

Second Half

Unlike the first half, the Catalan giants took total control of the ball, dominating their opponents and dictating the tempo of the game. A switch in attack saw Graham Hansen move over to the left flank of the pitch as opposed to her usual position on the right, and the Norwegian scored Barcelona’s second of the game.

Graham took the ball from the flank and made her way to the edge of the box where she brilliantly evaded two tackles before releasing a right-footed strike that found the back of the net.

Barcelona kept possession of the ball and had Athletic Club chasing after them for most of the half. Aitana Bonmati, Salma Paralluelo, and Keira Walsh were then brought on to replace Esmee Brugts, Vicky Lopez, and Claudia Pina in the 67th minute as the champions sought to secure all three points with a third goal.

In the 81st minute, Patri Guijarro found the back of the net and scored Barcelona’sthird goal of the game. Graham Hansen passed the ball into the path of the midfielder whose run into the box was unchecked by the opposition defence and she slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

Miss Ballon d’Or had the final say on the game when she scored Barcelona’s fourth goal in additional time. Once again Caroline Graham Hansen released Aitana Bonmati in the box, and the latter finished beautifuuly in her usual calm and composed manner.

The game ended with a 4-0 victory for Barcelona, extending their winning run to 10 games in the league and 12 in all competitions. 

Barcelona players who have received a call-up by their various national teams will head off to represent their countries during the international break as club football is put on hold for a few days.