He has not recovered. Alexia Putellas did not arrive in time for the Montjuïc classic. The Barcelona captain misses the duel against Madrid due to a bruise on her right knee, which she carries over from the last game against Benfica, in which she scored two goals. In the Champions League she already had to be substituted at half-time and, after not working out with discomfort in recent days, she was finally left out of the squad.
The Mollet midfielder, twice Ballon d'Or winner, had not yet missed a game this season, neither with Barcelona (9), nor with Spain (4). This season, Jonatan Giráldez was using her as a false nine. Without Alexia, that role of reference and most advanced player will correspond to Salma Paralluelo, who has scored three consecutive days. In total, she has six goals in those last three games.
Irene Paredes is also out, suffering from tonsillitis, which has already kept her out of the Champions League match against Benfica. The central defense leaves its place to Engen, who will partner with Mapi León in the center of the Barcelona defense.
Barça has the losses of those two world champions, two important pieces. But Cata Coll does play in goal, Ona Batlle at left back, Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí in midfield and Mariona Caldentey and the aforementioned Paralluelo in attack.
On the other hand, at Real Madrid, Toril fields six of its world champions: Misa Rodríguez, Ohiane, Ivana Andrés –its captain-, Olga Carmona, Tere Abelleira and Athenea del Castillo.
For the goals, the white team relies on two of this summer's signings, the Danish Brunn and the Australian Raso.
