The Barça retakes the ‘Champions’ with illusion
The blaugranas visit the Roma of Vicky Losada and Andressa Alves
BARCELONA, 20 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Barça Femení visits Roma this Tuesday (9:00 p.m.) in the first leg of the women’s Champions League quarterfinals, at the Stadio Olimpico in the Italian capital, in a duel that the locals arrive in top form and as it would be threat for a Barça that, in any case, starts as a favourite.
The blaugranas are contesting these quarterfinals for the eighth time in a row and have made it past the round in the last four seasons. A greater baggage than that of a Roma that debuts in this ‘Champions’. However, the Catalans should not trust a Roma that is the leader in its league and with enough weapons to worry anyone.
The Italians, in their debut in the continental elite, showed their faces in the group stage and came second in Group B, behind Wolfsburg and with 4 victories in addition to 1 draw and only 1 defeat against, precisely, the Germans .
In addition, in this 2023 they have only lost one game, so they are in very good shape. During the break of this ‘Champions’, Alessandro Spugna’s players took the opportunity to cement their leadership in Serie A, where they have an 8-point margin over Juventus. Now, with the peace of mind of being solid leaders, they are focused on surprising Europe.
With well-known faces for the Blaugrana parish such as former captain Vicky Losada and Brazilian forward Andressa Alves, this Roma also has a lot of quality in the boots of Emilie Haavi and goal with Valentina Giacinti, author of 4 goals in 6 games.
Barça also arrives with the known casualties of Alexia Putellas, Mariona Caldentey and, at the last minute, Claudia Pina. Absences of importance for Jonatan Giráldez, who gave a list of summoned with the rest of those available plus Vicky López, from the subsidiary.
“We have seen many Roma games, with different formats. They usually have more ball than their rival but have the ability to defend at different heights. We are a team that usually takes the initiative in all games, the best way to attack and represent our style”, said the coach in the preview.
If they manage to take the game to their land, the blaugranas will already have a lot done. In the F League they continue unstoppable, leaders with 22 victories in 22 days. And, in the ‘Champions’, they seek to resume the competition on the right foot in a Stadio Olimpico that years ago received the men’s team and now opens as the headquarters of Barça Femení and, above all, as the home of the Roma women’s team.
At the moment the Roman club confirms that there are more than 35,000 tickets sold, close to half the capacity. So a great atmosphere is expected for this first leg between a Roma that has nothing to lose against a Barça that knows that the rival is not as docile or easy as it may seem due to the fact of being a rookie.
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
ROME: Caesar; Bartoli, Wenninger, Linari, Minami; Andressa Alves, Greggi, Giugliano; Serturini, Giachinti and Haavi.
BARÇA FEMALE: Cloths; Bronze, Paredes, Mapi León, Rolfö; Graham Hansen, Bonmatí, Walsh, Patri Guijarro, Paralluelo; and Oshoala.
— REFEREE: Iuliana Demetrescu (RUM).
–ESTADIUM: Olympic Stadium.