Barcelona did not look for excuses. Against Benfica he took advantage of his resources, and was superior even playing with a lower gear and an evident lack of aim. At the beginning, Barça was more intense, and more calm and managerial in the second half despite the goal against when leaving the locker room (3-1). With the three points in their pocket, Barcelona continues to lead the group stage with a good cushion of goals in favor, and is on track to advance to the quarterfinals. Contrary to that of Benfica, which is eliminated from the European competition.
3
Cata Coll, Mapi León, Aïcha Cámara (Marta Torrejón, min. 62), Laia Aleixandri (Ainoa Gómez, min. 84), Esmee Brugts (Carla Julià, min. 73), Alexia Putellas, Vicky López, Clara Serrajordi (Sydney Schertenleib, min. 62), Caroline Graham Hansen, Clàudia Pina and Ewa Pajor (Martine Fenger, min. 84)
1
Lena Pauels, Christy Ucheibe, Catarina Amado, Marit Lund, Carole Costa, Anna Gasper (Lara Martins, min. 67), Letícia Almeida (Pauleta, min. 58), Beatriz Cameirão (Carissa Boeckmann, min. 78), Lúcia Alves (Nycole Raysla, min. 67), Cristina Martín-Prieto (Rakel Engesvik, min. 78) and Chandra Davidson
Goals
1-0 min. 28: Ewa Pajor. 1-1 min. 45: Chandra Davidson. 2-1 min. 53: Christy Ucheibe. 3-1 min. 57: Alexia Putellas
Referee Jana Adamková
yellow cards
Catarina Amado (min. 93)
Barça arrived with the peace of mind of the leadership in the European league, and the uneasiness of not being able to count on their starting players. The number of injuries – Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, Ona Batlle, Salma Paralluelo, Kika Nazareth – forced Pere Romeu to squeeze the eleven with home-grown players. The last-minute loss of Irene Paredes due to a fever also forced more pieces to be moved. Laia Aleixandri was placed at the center of the defense next to Mapi León, with the usual Esmee Brugts on the left and the young promise Aïcha Cámara on the right. While in the center of the field another pearl of La Masia, Clara Serrajordi, took on the responsibility of pivot, well accompanied by Alexia Putellas and Vicky López. The trident was healthy with Graham Hansen and Claudia Pina on the wings, and Ewa Pajor on point.
Benfica, with one point in the standings, only needed victory to continue its journey in the Champions League. It didn’t seem like it in the Johan. They came out with a very defensive approach, with a low block to avoid the arrival of the azulgranas and try to counteract the rival mistakes. But they didn’t arrive. And the Benfica players got tangled up among themselves, with very close lines that prevented them from playing well from behind.
With the Portuguese neutralized by themselves, the Blaugranas played whatever they wanted. Even with the absences, Barça was superior, controlling the ball, time and the game. They circulated the ball well, adding chances thanks to Vicky’s deep passes – expanding again after this summer’s Euro Cup -, Graham’s forays on the outside and Pina’s on the inside, who tested Pauels and Johan Cruyff’s crossbar twice. The goal, however, could not come from any boots other than those of Pajor after a recovery by Alexia, attentive to a poor delivery by Lund.
Barça’s good play was also due to Aïcha’s decision and the balance and recoveries of Serrajordi, who avoided some of Benfica’s transitions when they began to gain courage. i, the ball fell to Gasper, who crossed for Davidson to finish comfortably. Even the box missed a goal 34 seconds into the second half. Also the injured players who, when they went out to their seats, looked for a replay of the play on their cell phones. “If you come out relaxed in the Champions League, they will paint your face,” Romeu warned before the match.
The step forward of the Portuguese forced the defenses to work harder. Even so, Barça continued trying. Although the aim was not on their side, luck did smile on them with an own goal by Ucheibe after an attempt by Alexia to assist Pajor. Four minutes later came Aleixandri’s goal to extend the lead on the scoreboard. Barça dedicated themselves to managing the pace of the match to ensure victory and give minutes to the youngest players. With the job done, the Blaugranas are close to the quarterfinals.
