Barcelona Femeni played their first game of the season away from home when they faced Deportivo La Coruna in the Liga F. Although the champions unexpectedly took a while to find the back of the net, the game ended with a 3-0 victory for the Catalan visitors.
Barcelona decided to start the season with a lineup of familiar faces that included two of the new signings. Playing away from home against a well-organized Deportivo, Barcelona got the lion’s share of the ball but still struggled to create clear chances in front of goal. The closest the Blaugrana came to scoring was from an attempted Olimpico goal from a Mapi Leon corner kick.
Both sides went into the break goalless as Barcelona endured their momentary slow start to the season. The second half was a different story entirely, with Barcelona making some key substitutions at halftime.
Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas came on for the Catalans, and their appearance made all the difference in the game. The introduction of the midfield duo saw Barcelona create more chances in the final third as the attacking trio of Caroline Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor, and Fridolina Rolfo started to see more of the ball.
Barcelona’s newly signed forward opened the scoring in the 58th minute when she pounced on a loose ball following the goalkeeper’s save from Graham’s attempt. Mapi Leon’s delivery towards the back post was met by Caroine Graham Hansen, whose attempt on goal was kept out by the goalkeeper. Ewa Pajor was the quickest to react to the loose ball and scored Barca’s first goal of the game.
In the 71st minute, following a controversial foul on a Deportivo player, Alexia Putellas delivered a sumptuous ball over the top of the backline and found Esmee Brugts, who finished with a wonderful volley to score Barcelona’s second of the night.
The game progressed, and Barcelona sealed their victory with a third goal in the 88th minute when Ewa Pajor finished again from close range after being assisted by Graham, who danced her way past two defenders to get into the penalty area.
The game ended 3-0 in favor of Barcelona Femeni, who secured all three points in their opening game of the new season.
