Alexia Putellas: Leading Her Team to Success

Sant Joan DespíIt is certain that while Alexia Putellas was enjoying the European victory of the Barça men’s team at the new Camp Nou, he imagined himself playing there in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. With today’s victory against Benfica (3-1), Pere Romeu’s team is already one step closer to fulfilling this dream. The Blaugranas are virtually qualified for the quarter-finals after a first phase that is almost impossible to frame. With one game left to close the European league, the Catalan team has four wins and a draw with (15) goals in favor and only (2) against.

Not even the last-minute dismissal of Irene Paredes – with a feverish process – could prevent a new Blaugrana thrashing, which already adds up to three against Benfica at the Johan Cruyff stadium. Laia Aleixandri played in the central position – where she had a fight with Martín-Prieto, a teammate in the Spanish national team and an old acquaintance of Barça – and Clara Serrajordi was able to enjoy her first Champions League title. Aïcha Camara, who will be 19 years old tomorrow, has also made his debut in a European competition match, given the absence of Ona Batlle. Definitely an advanced birthday present.

Faced with a poor start to Johan Cruyff, who barely made it past half-time, the Catalans kicked up to twenty times in the first half. However, the goalkeeper, the crossbar and the lack of effectiveness in front of goal have avoided solving the duel. Pina hit the post twice, while Graham sent the ball onto the woodwork in the final action before heading to the dressing rooms. Luckily, Barça has a pure ‘9’, one of those who touch the ball, the ball that goes into the back of the net. And so it was again after a pass from Alexia Putellas. Fingers crossed that Ewa Pajor doesn’t get injured – again. In fact, the only defeat of the season (1-0 at Real Sociedad’s ground) came in the month in which the Polish forward – without a natural replacement in the first team – was injured.

From the initial insurance to the golejada

Barça promised themselves to be very happy after taking the lead against the lowest scoring team in the competition. Benfica had only scored two goals in four games before reaching Johan Cruyff, who took advantage of a defensive error by Mapi León to tie the match. Barely a minute had been played since the restart when Davidson finished off a Gasper cross. Still lucky that Alvez’s subsequent shot did not find the goal after a poor start by Cata Coll. Some disconnections in defense that have forced them to put on the work frog again.

Said and done. It took Pere Romeu’s team eight minutes to get ahead of the scoreboard again. Alexia – who assisted in the first – tried a shot from the front of the area that ended up going in after bouncing off Ucheibe. And now without any possible scares, Laia Aleixandri took advantage of a bad refusal from the Benfica defense in a corner to give Johan Cruyff peace of mind, despite Alexia having missed a penalty. None of this, however, has prevented the debuts of Carla Julià, Fenger and Ainoa Gómez in Europe. Barça wins, virtually qualifies for the quarter-finals and continues to grow the young women. round day