![Barcelona Femeni squad missing its key players](https://barcafemenino.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/croppeddddddd.jpeg)
Barcelona Femeni ended the 2022–2023 season on a very high note, securing trophies domestically and across Europe. The team’s success was so great that they were named the Women’s Club of the Year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October.
The Catalan giants successfully defended their Liga F title and then went on to win their second European crown in history defeating Wolfsburg in a dramatic comeback. These series of success put them in pole position this new season, leaving them no other choice than to defend their titles if they want to remain champions both at home and abroad. Well, if there is any team in the world than can successfully retain their titles, it’s Barcelona.
Heading into the 2023/2024 season with a target on their back, the Blaugrana’s objectives of winning every possible competition has become even tougher than ever. The team has to compete in the Liga F, the Copa de La Reina, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and as always, the goal is to win.
With a squad has lethal and daring as the Blaugrana’s, that is not an impossible feat to achieve. However, as the season progressed, the champions have been hit with an injury crisis that has claimed some of their key players. Among them are Fridolina Rolfo, Alexia Putellas, Mapi Leon, Irene Paredes, and Jana Fernandez. These are important players who have carried the responsibility of leading the team to success over the past few seasons. Their absence is a huge loss that leaves a dark cloud hanging on the Blaugrana’s quest for more titles this season.
The aforementioned players are all pillars of Barcelona Femeni’s defense, with the exception of Alexia Putellas, who plays in a more advanced position. Mapi Leon and Irene Paredes have long been the undisputed starters in the backline; however, both have been rendered unavailable for selection due to injury, with the former out on a long-term basis after undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear in her knee.
![Mapi Leon in training](https://barcafemenino.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mapi-Leon-in-training-1024x682.jpeg)
Barcelona Femeni however boast of an incredible squad filled with veterans who have acquired vast experience over the years as well as young talents with impeccable abilities who are just coming up the ranks. Hence, the team has been able to deliver positive results while also coping with injuries to important players.
The Blaugrana has been able to handle the loss of players to injuries in every part of the field, thanks to their exceptionally talented and versatile squad depth. We will breakdown each area of the pitch and analyze how Barcelona Femeni has been able to keep their playing style and winning run.
Goalkeeping
With Sandra Paños and Cata Coll, we have seen Barcelona Femeni field two different goalkeepers so far this season. Barcelona’s choice between the sticks has varied both as a result of squad rotation and repetitive injuries to the latter.
While both keepers are exceptional at ball playing and shot stopping, there is a hidden gem in Gemma Font, who happens to be third choice goalie. As a reminder, Gemma was the one who started in goal for Barcelona Femeni at the beginning of last season while both Coll and Paños were out injured.
With such security in goal, the impact of the injuries on the goalkeeping position is almost insignificant.
Defense
This part of the field is where Barcelona is facing the biggest problem right now. As stated earlier, the undisputed starters Mapi Leon and Irene Paredes are both suffering from injuries, leaving the centre-back position at the mercy of other defenders in the squad.
So far this season, the absence of both veterans has seen Barcelona feature Martina Fernandez, Ingrid Engen, and Marta Torrejon in centre-back positions. While all three players are good replacements, none of them started their careers as a centre-back, with the former two being midfielders and the latter a right-back.
While Martina Fernandez is not a natural centre-back, the young defender has made a smooth transition into the defense and, thus, is a perfect replacement in that position. Only 19 years old and playing her first full season in the top flight, the defender has played with brilliance, showing amazing qualities and incredible talent. However, her young age indicates a lack of playing experience that one might find in veteran players.
![Martina Fernandez playing for Barcelona Femeni](https://barcafemenino.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-24-at-21.56.56.jpeg)
While she has been holding up her end so far in Liga F, playing against top teams like Olympique Lyonnais and Chelsea in the Champions League might be too demanding for the youngster. Also, it is important to state that the player needs to be rested and rotated in a bid to manage her playing time and ensure that she is protected from fatigue and injuries.
Ingrid Engen is an entirely different player, possessing an incredible array of abilities that have kept her in the exceptionally skilled and technical Barcelona midfield for years. With the likes of Aitana Bonmati, Keira Walsh, Patri Guijarro, and young Vicky Lopez in the midfield, Engen’s deployment to centre-back will have minimal to no impact on the team’s performance in the middle of the park.
![Ingrid Engen in action for Barcelona Femeni](https://barcafemenino.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-10-at-23.06.13-2.jpeg)
However, since taking over the reins at the heart of Barcelona’s defense, the Norwegian has been caught out of position a few times. Although none of her lapses in defense have led to an opponent’s goal, the result would be different if the team were up against prolific teams like Olympique Lyonnais and Chelsea in the Champions League or teams with fast, lethal strikers like Madrid CFF’s Rachael Kundananji or Levante’s Alba Redondo.
On the positive side, Engen’s position in defense gives Barcelona the advantage of fielding one more midfielder without having to sacrifice a forward. Her presence at the back as given Keira Walsh the opportunity to leave her role as a defensive midfielder and advance into more dangerous positions for the Blaugrana. As a result of this, the English midfielder has scored two goals in two successive games, contributing to the teams attacking endeavors.
Featuring Marta Torrejon at centre-back is a feat possible only when Lucy Bronze and Esmee Brugts are fit and available for selection. The captain is a right-back with excellent defensive abilities; however, she has been known to get on the scoresheet every now and then, which is expected of a full-back with an eye for goal. Although the 33-year-old has been brilliant whenever she has been asked to play at centre-back this season, she will be facing a difficult challenge when defending against sharp forwards like Ada Hegerberg or Sam Kerr.
Jana Fernandez, who, being a natural centre-back could have easily fit into the Blaugrana’s backline, is also injured, making bolstering the defense a huge priority for Barcelona.
Midfield
This is the only aspect of the field unaffected by the team’s injury crisis due to the depth of skilled, technical, and exceptionally talented players playing in this position. The depth in midfield is so spectacular that Barcelona can afford to deploy Ingrid Engen at centre-back.
With Aitana Bonmati, Keira Walsh, Patri Guijarro, Claudia Pina, and young Vicky Lopez, the abundance of technically gifted players in the heart of Barcelona’s midfield renders the injury crisis almost irrelevant in that part of the pitch.
![Aitana Bonmati](https://barcafemenino.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-14-at-23.58.44.jpeg)
Although the loss of Alexia Putellas to injury is huge and massively felt, with the current crop of players available for selection, the performance of the team in midfield still leaves spectators bedazzled every time.
While also mentioning that should the need arise, the likes of Mariona Caldentey, Esmee Brugts, and Bruna Vilamala can easily slot into the midfield with ease and deliver beyond expectations.
Attack
Barcelona is a high-scoring team, and this achievement is because of the performance of their ruthless, lethal forwards, firing on all cylinders to score as many goals as possible. Without doubt, Mariona Caldentey, Salma Paralluelo, and Caroline Graham Hansen have been Barcelona’s best attacking trio this season.
![Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo](https://barcafemenino.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-22-at-01.03.45-1-1024x683.jpeg)
The trio has scored 27 goals while contributing 18 assists in only 16 games played in all competitions this season. Note that this incredible statistic include games which Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo missed either due to injury or technical decision.
A point to note is that the trio’s versatility is key to their performance, especially with Mariona Caldentey and Salma Paralluelo playing perfectly off each other’s movements and exhibiting a fluid switch in attacking positions.
While Esmee Brugts and Claudia Pina have also been played as forwards, with both players scoring three goals apiece so far, Barcelona’s frontline is well covered.
While the team is plagued with injuries, the club has stated that recruiting players from other clubs through transfers will be very challenging considering the club’s financial status and the requirements of meeting Financial Fair Play regulations. Hence, the club might have to look inward at its youth academy, La Masia, for reinforcements.
![Vicky Lopez scores in El Clasico](https://barcafemenino.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-23-at-00.35.03-2.jpeg)
Over the years, Barcelona have seen incredible talents spurn out of the famous academy and the likes of Vicky Lopez, Martina Fernandez, Guilia Dragoni, Lucia Corrales, Julia Bartel, and Ari Arias have already featured for the first team this season.
Many fans and lovers of Barcelona Femeni around the world would hope that a few players return from injury when the team returns to action after the holidays in January. However, if such a miracle fails to occur at the Estadi Johan Cryuff, the baton will be passed onto the young talents, who will undoubtedly relish the chance to represent the Blaugrana colors.
Undeniably believe that that you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest factor to take into
account of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time
as other people think about worries that they plainly don’t realize about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the highest as well as outlined out the entire thing without having side effect , other
folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
Thank you
Hi there, this weekend is fastidious in support of me, because this occasion i am reading this wonderful informative paragraph
here at my home.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to a
famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
This site was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me.
Thanks!
Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web
site is fantastic, as well as the content!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a
amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable
from you! By the way, how could we communicate?
These comments often reflect an individual’s beliefs, preferences, or judgments about the significance, importance, or quality of a particular subject. Value comments can be found in various contexts, such as discussions about art, literature, music, ethics, politics, and more.
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this brilliant blog!
I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your
RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my
Facebook group. Talk soon!
Great weblog right here! Additionally your website so much up very fast!
What host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Remarkable! Its genuinely amazing piece of writing, I have got much clear idea about from this paragraph.
We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand
new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with useful
info to work on. You have performed an impressive job and our whole group shall
be grateful to you.
I am curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be using?
I’m having some minor security issues with my latest
site and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a
blog site? The account helped me a acceptable
deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also visit this webpage on regular basis
to get updated from newest news update.
Keep on writing, great job!
Thanks for supplying this kind of good subject matter.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before
but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new
to me. Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking
back often!
Very descriptive blog, I liked that a lot. Will there be a part 2?
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout
on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare
to see a great blog like this one today.
Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your page.
Im really impressed by it.
Hi there, You have done a fantastic job. I will
certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
Nice blog right here! Additionally your site quite a bit up fast!
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the finest
sites online. I’m going to highly recommend this website!
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I should check
things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to looking over your web page yet
again.
Thanks in support of sharing such a good idea, post is
fastidious, thats why i have read it fully
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s
new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Hi to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this web site, and your views are fastidious
for new people.
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and reporting!
Keep up the good works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.
fantastic issues altogether, you just received a new reader.
What would you recommend in regards to your put up that you simply made
some days in the past? Any sure?
I want to to thank you for this good read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit
of it. I’ve got you book-marked to look at new stuff you post…
Hi to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more
from this website, and your views are fastidious designed for new people.
What’s up, its nice piece of writing regarding media print, we all be
aware of media is a great source of data.
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe
you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or
two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in truth used to be a entertainment account it.
Look complex to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how
could we keep up a correspondence?
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post.
Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!