A new Barça presents itself and thrashes without Alexia Putellas

As happened last year at the Camp Nou in the two world attendance records, ¡Mamá! by Rigoberta Bandini rang loudly from the loudspeakers at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
23 August 2022 Tuesday 17:30
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A new Barça presents itself and thrashes without Alexia Putellas

As happened last year at the Camp Nou in the two world attendance records, ¡Mamá! by Rigoberta Bandini rang loudly from the loudspeakers at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. The usual women's house was filled to almost full with 5,125 spectators who applauded the Blaugrana incessantly in the second Joan Gamper Trophy in its history.

The fans enjoyed the 0-6 that the Blaugrana endorsed Montpellier and also the team's presentation in which they reserved their best applause for Aitana Bonmatí, Claudia Pina and of course for their captain Alexia Putellas. It will be time to row without her, without the best player in the world who will miss practically the entire course. It will undoubtedly be the most challenging challenge of the season since Barça has settled in the elite of women's football, increasingly professional and as a consequence more demanding and open to criticism.

Giráldez's team faces the challenge with a renewed team that saw starters such as Leila Ouahabi, Jenni Hermoso, Andrea Pereira and Lieke Martens leave. Also to Melanie Serrano who hung up her boots after a life in Blaugrana.

In exchange, the club has welcomed Lucy Bronze, Vicky López, the injured Núria Rábano, and Salma Paralluelo, who missed the Blaugrana debut because she is playing in the U20 World Cup. All those available enjoyed minutes. Also the Brazilian Geyse Ferreira, from Madrid CFF and top scorer in the last edition of the Primera Iberdrola with 20 goals together with Oshoala. A different footballer, with character and a certain rebelliousness who debuted with Blaugrana with a double. For the first he served a delicious assistance from Rölfo. For the second he headed another center this time from Bronze.

"Welcome everyone to the best club in the world," Alexia told the newcomers. Putellas stepped on the grass of the Johan with some slowness. It hurts the captain not to be. Even so, she avoided mentioning his injury. He is clear about his functions as captain. It was his turn to speak on behalf of the team. “ We want to reissue Cup, League and Super Cup. And we also want to reach the third Champions League final and win it. We owe you." "We want to ask you for confidence in this team. We already know that we have the best fans," coach Jonathan Giráldez insisted.

The Blaugrana will need to empower themselves against larger teams when the European season begins, but they showed versatility, versatility and a multitude of options in a team with nine casualties. Some very sensitive like Aitana Bonmatí, Graham Hansen, Oshoala and of course Putellas.

But they have resources. Apart from Geyse, Patri Guijarro, named the best Gamper player, joined the party of doubles. All the attendees and their companions raised their hands to their heads with the first goal. A delicious shot from the edge of the area that entered the squad. The second was a perfect header turning the neck after a free kick masterfully taken by Pina.

The match ended with two last goals from Rölfo and Ariana Arias, a recently signed reserve player from Real Madrid B. With President Laporta on the pitch and together with Torrejón Putellas, he collected the trophy. The League without her begins on September 10 at Levante Las Planas.