Sant Joan DespíBarça beat Atlético de Madrid and hit the table in League F. Pere Romeu’s team took advantage of Real Madrid’s defeat and already have a ten-point margin at the top of the standings. The Blaugrana have come out with the clear and conscious ideas that they could not fail against the second rival that generates the most scoring chances in the competition (the first is Barça). The goals of Alexia Putellas, Clàudia Pina, Esmee Brugts and Salma Paralluelo – who returned to play after three months injured – allowed them to add three more points in an advanced day for the Spanish Super Cup dispute, from January 20 to 24 in Castellón. Barça will play the semi-finals on Wednesday the 21st against Athletic Club de Bilbao (7 p.m.).
The Catalan team managed to neutralize the Matalasser team, which barely managed to get out of their own field, and took advantage of a loss in the ball’s departure to get ahead of the scoreboard. Clara Serrajordi regained possession, Clàudia Pina combined with Alexia Putellas and the captain did not forgive after a good cut inside the area. If in the match of the first round Barça took the lead in the second minute through Brugts, it took Johan four minutes to find the back of the net. Clàudia Pina, with a long shot that deflected off an opposing player, scored the second, while Pajor had 3-0 before the break after a great filtered pass from Pina, but the referee ruled it out for offside.
Pere Romeu’s players dominated the duel from start to finish, far superior to Atlético and with an excellent Alexia Putellas who was ready to provide some assistance to her teammates. Cata Coll, who was returning after the injury, was another spectator at the Johan Cruyff stadium, which despite being a working Wednesday exceeded 3,000 people.
Salma returns to the pitch
A monologue that continued in the second half and was again rewarded in the form of a goal. Atlético have once again lost a ball in their own field and Esmee Brugts has not forgiven to, now yes, make it 3-0. With the score already settled and without any symptoms of reaction from Madrid, Pere Romeu has started to move the bench to distribute minutes in this demanding section of the calendar. The Blaugrana fans were able to see Carla Julià on the wing again – after her display against Madrid CFF – but it was Clàudia Pina who made it 4-0 after a shot by Ewa Pajor that was blocked by Lola Gallardo.
But the most anticipated moment of the night came in the 79th minute, when Salma Paralluelo entered the field to a standing ovation from the fans who had traveled to the Johan Cruyff stadium. The Aragonese footballer has not played since the end of October when she was injured with the Spanish national team with a partial rupture of the internal lateral ligament of the knee. Almost three months later, Salma has been able to dress in shorts again in an official match to take filming. Good minutes from the Blaugrana who looked for the goal and found it in added time after a cross from Ewa Pajor that Alexia Putellas let pass very intelligently.
A very placid game for Barça against an inoffensive Atlético de Madrid that ended with a shot in the 90 minutes. The Catalans arrive at the end of the league with a ten-point margin over second-placed Real Madrid, and with the feeling that the break for Christmas has served to rest their legs, recover energy and connect to face the demanding month of January. Barça arrive at the first decisive stage of the course in the best possible form.
- Barça: Tasting Coll; Aicha Camera 60′), Irene Paredes (Salm Parallel 79′). Coach: Pere Romeu.
- Athletic of Madrid: Lola Gallardo; Bartel 70′), Bartel 70′), Phamma, Jensen (Minñambres 81′), Rose Otermin and Maca Portales Coach: Victor Martin.
- Gols: 1-0 Alexia Sluts (4′), 2-0 Claudia Pine (13′), 3-0 Brugts (59′),
- Yellow cards: Boe Risa (56′) and Peñalvo (81′).
- Red cards: None.
- Referee: María Gloria Planes (Murcia committee).
- Stadium: Johan Cruyff, 3,529 spectators.
