Barça receives Brann without trusting Bergen’s 1-2
BARCELONA, 27 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Barça Femení receives Brann this Thursday, in a Estadi Johan Cruyff (6:45 p.m.) that has posted the ‘no tickets’ sign, in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the Women’s Champions League, with 1 -2 from the first leg in Bergen which gives an advantage to some ‘culers’ who, however, do not want to trust or relax at any time in search of experiencing another semi-finals.
The Blaugranas aspire to reach their fourth consecutive final and, at the moment, they are a little closer to other ‘semi’s. They have not fallen in a two-legged tie since the 2017/18 season, in the semifinals against Lyon and, with that 1-2 in Bergen, the first objective is to extend that good streak.
Of course, at the Asane Arena things did not go as they could have. Barça dominated but went from more to less and came across a great defensive version of Brann, with their goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen being as key a figure as their great star was in attack; the young Signe Gaupset.
The ‘culers’ left the crossing open to seal the pass at the Johan Cruyff despite the goals from Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, one in each half. But Brann’s provisional tie, on the brink of half-time, was a clear warning for Jonatan Giráldez’s team, who went down completely in the second half despite securing the victory.
“I expect a similar game in terms of proposal. Brann tries to dominate the games and on a defensive level they are a brave and aggressive team, they defend forward. The most important thing is to qualify,” said the Blaugrana coach this Wednesday in the preview of the match lap.
A Giráldez who avoids favoritism. “I never talk to the players about being favorites. Talking about that doesn’t give you points or goals, what does is doing the things we know well,” added the ‘culer’ coach, who gave no clues about the starting eleven but made it clear that he will make it without thinking that the full-back Ona Batlle is facing a sanction.
Barça Femení has not lost an official home match in more than five years and, if it continues to defend its fortress, it would be in the Champions League semi-finals for the sixth consecutive time. On the other hand, Brann is in its second campaign in the continental elite and, even if it loses, it will have achieved its best performance.
The Blaugranas arrive at the event very well, with the possibility of recovering troops and, if not, with those available in a great state of form after beating Real Madrid women last weekend (0-3) and leaving almost sentenced League F, with a 12-point margin over White. So Barça Femení can go all out for this ‘Champions’ and Brann is the next obstacle.
DATASHEET.
–POSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
WOMEN’S BAR: Cata Coll; Bronze, Paredes, Engen, Batlle; Walsh, Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatí; Graham Hansen, Salma Paralluelo and Mariona Caldentey.
FIRE: Mikalsen; Stenevik, Ostenstad, Tynnilä; Kvamme, Kielland, Haugland, Lund; Engesvik, Gaupset; y Crummer.
–REFEREE: Ivana Martincic (CRO).
— STADIUM: Johan Cruyff Stadium.
–TIME: 18:45/DAZN and TV3.