With Benfica's draw at Rosengård, Barça already knew they were mathematical leaders of the group, but despite this Giráldez came out with his gala eleven and delivered thanks to the goals from Patri Guijarro in the first and Caroline Graham Hansen in the second. The Blaugrana are the only team that has full points, since Lyon tied against Brann on matchday four, and they remain intractable both in the League and in Europe.
Barça had no rival on the pitch. In the Johan Cruyff stands, however, the game was won by the lively Eintracht fans, who did not stop singing and waving their scarves. The 300 tickets sold in Germany made Eintracht the largest visiting fans to have visited the Catalan temple in the Champions League. Among the 4,842 spectators last night were also the Blaugrana Pau Cubarsí and Marc Guiu.
They really enjoyed seeing how their team remained strong in defense and brave in attack. They even gave the Blaugrana some scares in the first minutes. The clearest, a loss of Lucy Bronze after the German pressure that Eintracht took advantage of to go on the counterattack. Cata Coll and Engen came out to cover Prasnikar, but the forward had time to pump the ball towards the goal. Fortunately, Irene Paredes was waiting behind the posts to lower the ball with her chest and neutralize the danger.
Barça could not find clarity in attack, despite their numerous attempts, until Patri Guijarro appeared to cross a powerful shot close to the post to make the score 1-0.
The goal would not change the script of the match and both teams remained faithful to their plans. Eintracht, being brave and solid in defense; Barça, monopolizing possession and besieging the rival area. The Blaugrana accumulated shots from all positions: Salma, Graham Hansen, Mariona, Aitana... even Paredes tried, but the ball didn't go in and he had to settle for going to half-time with a minimal advantage.
Niko Arnautis surprised by changing goalkeeper Johannes at half-time and bringing on Cara Bösl, who had not yet made her debut this season in either the Champions League or the League, and who would be one of the main protagonists at the start of the second half.
Barça continued installed in the German area. Graham Hansen sent a magnificent pass for Aitana, but the Ballon d'Or saw his attempt thwarted by the goalkeeper who had just entered and right after, Lucy Bronze hit the post with a good header. The next golden opportunity came from the boots of Graham Hansen, who failed what he never fails, a one-on-one against the Eintracht goalkeeper that won the German goal.
The Catalan team deserved second, but they couldn't get it and frustration began to appear. In one against Eintracht they were on the verge of causing a surprise, but Freigang's shot, scorer of the goal in the first leg, went just wide.
Giráldez waited until the 70th minute to refresh the team and brought on Esmee Brugts and Claudia Pina for Mariona Caldentey and Salma Paralluelo who failed to shine as on other Champions League nights. The Aragonese, top scorer in the Champions League (5) and MVP in three European games, did not have her best night yesterday.
The changes had an effect on Barça, who would achieve the much-sought 2-0 lead just two minutes later. Graham Hansen retaliated with a great goal from the edge of the area. When everyone expected her to dribble past her rival to get into the area, the Norwegian armed her leg and sent a powerful shot that, after bouncing off the post, went in to make it 2-0 for the Blaugrana.
The Blaugrana have already secured first place in their group. Together with Olympique Lyon, they were the first teams to certify their place in the quarterfinals, before Christmas. This matchday was also achieved by Chelsea, after beating a Real Madrid team with no options at Stamford Bridge. The last day will be decisive for Paris Saint-Germain, which could even be left out of the quarterfinals in a very close group with Ajax, Bayern and Roma in which all teams have a chance of passing.
