Barcelona had a beautiful run in the 2021/2022 season, winning 3 trophies in the process. However, with the 3-1 loss to Olympique Lyonnais in the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in Turin, all of Barcelona’s glorious performance during the course of the season took a hit. After being crowned champions in the previous edition, the Blaugrana’s hopes of winning a second consecutive European title were dashed when they lost to the French side.
Going into the new season, with renewed hope and the objective of winning it all in the 2022/2023 season, the Catalan giants set themselves up for a chance to win all the tournaments they participated in. And after their dramatic triumph in the UWCL final in Eindhoven, Barcelona without a shadow of a doubt has had an amazing season, and the team has gone ahead to make history, one that would be remembered for years to come.
Barcelona’s transfer window
The road to glory all began in the transfer window, with Barcelona bringing in Nuria Rabano, following her contract expiration at Real Sociedad. Brought in to deputize for the incredible Fridolina Rolfo, on June 17, 2022, Barcelona completed the signing of Nuria Rabano.
Laia Codina returned to Barcelona after spending time away from the club, on loan to Italian side, AC Milan. The center back returned to the club as a backup option for the first choice center back pairings, Irene Paredes and Mapi Leon. With Jana Fernandez still out due to a long-term injury, Codina was brought back to the club as reinforcement for the backline.
Shortly after, Barcelona announced the signing of Geyse Ferreira. The Brazilian forward shared the top scorer award with Barcelona’s striker, Asisat Oshoala in the previous season. Brought in to reinforce the frontline and as a backup option for the Nigerian forward, Barcelona announced the signing of Geyse on a free transfer from Madrid CFF on June 19, 2022.
Barcelona secured the services of English right-back, Lucy Bronze on a free transfer from Manchester City. The FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, 2020 who already had 3 champions league medals from her time at Lyon, agreed on a two-year deal with Barcelona on June 18, 2022.
On the 11th of July, 2022, Barcelona announced the signing of Spanish sensation, Salma Paralluelo on a free transfer from Villareal. The teenager was a fine addition, as she is one of Spain’s most exciting young talents as she has won medals both as a footballer and as an athlete.
And on September 7, 2022, Barcelona completed the signing of Keira Walsh for a world-record fee of £350,000. The English midfielder was brought in from Manchester City on the back of a successful international campaign, where the English team won their first major trophy. An important signing in the center of the park for Barcelona, especially after their captain and star player, Alexia Putellas, was ruled out for the larger part of the season due to an ACL injury.
Victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup
The semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup was a clash between Barcelona and their eternal rivals, Real Madrid. The Blaugrana got a hard-fought win as the game dragged on to extra time after defender Irene Paredes was sent off in the 60th minute of the game.
A goal from Claudia Pina put Barcelona in the lead after 23 minutes, but Weir equalized with a splendid freekick in the second half. Both teams were forced to play an additional 30 minutes before the winner would be decided on penalties. However, with ten minutes left to play, Lucy Bronze was brought down in the penalty box, and Mariona Caldentey calmly slotted home the penalty to give Barcelona the lead. And with the last kick of the game, Salma Paralluelo sealed the victory with another goal, giving Barcelona a 3-1 win over Real Madrid.
And on January 22, Barcelona won the trophy after beating Real Sociedad 3-0 in the final. The Catalans won the trophy for the second consecutive time courtesy of goals from Aitana Bonmati (2) and Asisat Oshoala.
Disappointment in the Copa de La Reina
Despite having a fantastic season in Liga F and the Champions League, Barcelona’s run at the Spanish cup, Copa de la Reina, was cut short when the Blaugrana were officially kicked out of the competition on January 24, 2023. Accused of fielding an ineligible player in their 9-0 victory over Osasuna in the round of 16, Barcelona’s chance at winning the domestic cup was brought to an abrupt end.
Although the club appealed the situation, the verdict of being expelled from the tournament stood. Geyse Ferreira, who was signed from Madrid CFF, participated in Barcelona’s 9-0 rout of Osasuna and even scored a goal in the game. However, there was a claim that the player had been sent off when she represented her former team in the last edition of the competition and had yet to serve the sentence of the match ban required before playing for Barcelona in the tournament.
Retaining the league title
Barcelona won the Spanish league, Liga F, with four games to spare after a beautiful run of games that saw them unbeaten for 64 matches in a row. The Catalan giants showed their dominance in the league with only a draw and a loss throughout the league campaign. The slip-ups happened in games played after Barcelona had already secured the league title.
Their only draw of the season came after they played 1-1 away to Sevilla, and their only loss, a 2-1 loss away to Madrid CFF on the last matchday of the league season. Hence, bringing an end to their unbeaten run in the league, a run that stretches back to June 2021.
A second European crown to wrap up the season
Barcelona’s victory over Wolfsburg in Eindhoven helped them win the UEFA Women’s Champions League title. The second European title in the club’s history, after making it to three consecutive finals in four years. Barcelona’s unrelenting hunger for another European trophy was finally satisfied after the champions pulled off a dramatic comeback against Wolfsburg.
After going into halftime trailing by two goals, the Spanish champions came alive in the second half and carved their opponents apart. Scoring two goals in two minutes very early into the restart of the game, Barcelona’s relentless attack and fighting spirit proved to be enough to overwhelm their German counterparts.
The newly crowned European champions ended up winning the game 3-2, thus reclaiming their European crown that was lost to Lyon in the previous edition of the competition.
Barcelona finished the season on a high note, securing the trophy in every competition they participated in, with the exception of the Copa de la Reina. In conclusion, Barcelona had an incredible season filled with wins and drama up until the last day.
