FC Barcelona Femeni face Athletic Bilbao Club Femeni in the Liga F matchday 29. And it ended in a 3-0 win for the Blaugrana. It was a thrilling encounter and a game of attacking football at full display from the start of the game till the final whistle was blown by the Catalan side.
It was only Sandra Panos who kept her position for FC Barcelona in the starting lineup after last Wednesday’s game against Sevilla.
From the first minutes of the game, the Barca Femeni exchange a couple of beautiful passes keeping the ball away from the Athletic club player’s foot. The sight of the goal was numerous in the first half but the heavy defense of the Athletic Club wasn’t letting the ball through.
Barcelona women tried to break down the resistance of the opposing team but they were not able to break down the defense. The first half of the game ended in a 0-0 draw for both teams. It was the second time this season that the Athletic Bilbao Club Femeni were able to hold down the Barcelona team to a 0-0 first-half draw.
The second half of the game continued with the Barca Femeni pushing and hunting for the first goal of the game. And the first goal later came in the 61st minute, scored by Caroline Graham Hansen and assisted by Salma Paralluelo.
In the 63rd minute of the game, the Barca Women coach made three substitutes, Nuria Rabono, L. Codina, and Ingrid Engen out for Ana Maria Crnogorcevic, Irene Parades, and Keira Walsh.
Just a couple minutes after joining the party Irene Parades scored a powerful header from a Caroline Graham Hansen corner kick, to increase the lead to 2-0.
Mariona Caldentey and Alexia Putellas also came in toward the end of the game to give Bonmati and Patri a deserved rest after a well-played game.
Salma Paralluelo got the last goal of the game with a header from a corner kickball from Caroline Hansen Graham. Ending the game in a 3-0 win.
FC Barcelona Femeni: Player Ratings
Sandra Panos: 6.5
Didn’t have much to do but always had to be on alert due to the occasional outside shot of the opposition. Almost cause an own goal in the late minutes of the first half after hitting a ball on an opposition which bounced inches away from the goal post.
Marta Torrejon: 6.5
Almost got a goal but was denied by an excellent save from the goalkeeper. Did well in attack and defense.
Laia Codina: 6.5
Started as the right center-back. Was comfortable on the ball with her distribution and in aerial and individual duels.
Maria Leon: 7
Helped the team retain possession and help start the attack from the back, pushing and controlling the defense line to play a high line defense and supporting the attack.
Nuria Rabano: 7
Played high up the pitch, and combined well with Salma Paralluelo on the left wing. Always making cross inside the box, laid a wonderful ball to Oshoala in the 26th minute but she was not able to get the assist. Had an impressive first half and game. Defensively solid.
Aitana Bonmati: 7
The playmaker was everywhere on the pitch, controlling pressing, defending, and creating chances. Created a chance for Oshoala with a beautiful cross. Kept pressing the opponent. Covered well for the right winger and the right back to win balls back. Should have had an assist.
Ingrid Engen: 7
Played through the middle of the midfield, and helped win back balls and possession for the team. And was very positionally aware. Finding key pass options and trying to break the defense with her pass in the first half of the game. Very intelligent on and off the ball. Kept the ball moving and the team ticking. Was outstanding in individual duels. Almost opened the scoring with a header from a freekick she earned and a brilliant Caroline Graham Hansen and Mapi Leon combo set piece ball.
Patri Guijarro: 7
Got a touch on a Caroline Graham Hansen cross but wasn’t able to direct it into the net. Had a goal-scoring chance that was blocked again. Was solid both in attack and defense. Helped the team keep the ball possession.
Caroline Graham Hansen: 9
With 1 goal and 2 assists the Norway forward continued her hot form, contributing to all three goals in today’s match. She opens the scoring for Barcelona with a well-placed strike, her 13th goal of the season in all competitions. And as a very creative outlet for the Catalan team as she assisted the other two goals from the corner. And putting crosses into a dangerous position in the Athletico box.
Asisat Oshoala: 7
Always alert in the opposition box and should have had a goal and an assist, but the Athletico Bilbao defense did a wonderful job to keep the marksman quiet. Almost assisted Salma Paralluelo with a beautiful cross. Dropped back to get more involved in the play and build-up. And almost opened the scoring in the 58th minute with a header.
Salma Paralluelo: 8
One goal and one assist. Played through the FC Barcelona left-wing attack. Combine well with Nuria Rabano in the 7th minute to take a shot on goal. She is so quick on the ball and always difficult to stop. Almost got a goal with a powerful shot in the 29th minute but was blocked by an Athletic Club defender body. She assisted Caroline Graham Hansen with the first goal of the game. She almost set Alexia Putellas up but the club captain wasn’t able to convert. Kept putting in crosses in the opposition box but was not able to get to a Barcelona player. Should have more than one assist. Got a well-deserved goal with the last touch of the game.
SUBSTITUTES
Ana Maria Crnogorcevic: 7
Hard to tell if she got the goal in the 66th minute. Hit the crossbar with a power strike from outside the box. Should have had a goal. Tried to set Oshoala up for a goal.
Irene Paredes: 7
One goal. Scored a bullet header to increase the lead of the team to 2-0 just minutes after coming in. Was solid in defense.
Keira Walsh: 6
Help retain ball possession and was as impressive with her distribution. But did not have a lot to do after coming in.
Alexia Putellas: 6.5
Intercept the ball with her first touch to win it back for the team. Almost got a goal but was slammed into the body of a defender.
Mariona Caldentey: 6
Confident with the ball at her feet but did not have a lot to do in the game as she came in toward the end of the game.
