League F finally started, a week late due to the footballers' strike and dogged by conflicts. In the midst of the tornado that shook Las Rozas on Friday, just 30 kilometers away, Barça 2023-2024 was rolling against Madrid CFF. The Blaugrana team was welcomed by a stand with a surprising Blaugrana colour, which was overturned with the footballers in their debut. A match in which the poor condition of the grass prevented us from seeing much football, but which Barça won (0-2) with goals from Graham Hansen and Oshoala.
No one wanted to talk after the game. There was no mixed zone or press conferences. Only Jonatan Giráldez addressed the media on the battered lawn after the game and was very critical of that circumstance: "For me it's basic. If you want to watch a good show on television, you need adequate lighting, optimal conditions to play football well. It's a professional league and we're not just talking about money, we're talking about a lot more." Giráldez also spoke about the open conflict between the players and the Federation: "I respect that. These are decisions that depend solely and exclusively on each player who takes them." "My focus is to focus on what depends on you, train well and do everything you can to play the best match possible", he added, although he acknowledged that it is not easy: " It is clear that all the media noise affects us because we are human beings, but we are professionals".
Coach Montse Tomé, who went to Fuenlabrada with Laura del Río, under-15 women's coach, watched the match from the stands. They met Markel Zubizarreta, sports director of the Barça women's team, with whom they exchanged some impressions. The Asturian arrived a few minutes before the match began, looking to go unnoticed at a time when she is the focus of all eyes. Or almost all of them, because at the Fernando Torres stadium there were still some who hadn't seen it on television: "Montse Tomé is here, she says she's the national coach. Do I let him through?”, was heard over a walkie-talkie. The coach had been seen in the morning at Atlético-Athletic and declined to comment on the conflict or on the list she has to make for the two matches against Sweden and Switzerland, for which she will not be able to count , if nothing changes, with twenty-one world champions, not one of the twelve who missed the World Cup due to the conflict with the Federation.
At Fernando Torres de Fuenlabrada, the focus was on the terrible state of the grass. One more example of the reasons why these footballers who claim that the F League is professional are fighting for something more than just to have that name. Their demands go beyond the minimum wage: they demand decent infrastructure, not dilapidated fields.
In this context, the Blaugrana took to the field with a message of support for their teammate Fridolina Rolfö, who is recovering from a recent knee operation. In the eleven, the brilliant debut of Ona Batlle with the first team of Barça and also Cata Coll who, after the incredible World Cup that he has starred in this summer, has earned the right to be in goal for FC Barcelona .
As for the rest, the football did not shine, but on a pitch like this and being the first League match, Barça complied. Caroline Graham Hansen scored the first Blaugrana goal of the season, a back-heel goal. Already at the end, Oshoala ruled the match 0-2 after an inspired individual play by Ona Batlle, one of the best of the match. And little else. Alexia played 400 games for Blaugrana and Esmee Brugts enjoyed her first minutes in the Barça shirt. Now, stop of selections to write a new chapter of this endless story.
