Barcelona embarks on its Champions League journey with the recent sting of last year’s final loss still fresh in their minds. Irene Paredes expressed the pain from that defeat, stating, “It’s something that doesn’t go away; it hurt us a lot.” As they aim for redemption, the team emphasizes their ambition: “We use it to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Our capacity to fight for this title is total.”
Barcelona Faces Bayern Munich
Barcelona’s path in the new league format of the Women’s Champions League presents a formidable challenge. Their first opponent is Bayern Munich. Coach Pere Romeu commented on this matchup, saying, “They are a complete team that will pressure us. We need to show a very good performance to take the three points.”
Klara Bühl: A Key Player
Klara Bühl has emerged as a focal point for this encounter. The talented winger could have joined Barcelona this season but ultimately extended her contract with Bayern until 2027. José Barcala, the coach of Bayern, praised her contributions: “She offers us dynamism, commitment, and the ability to outmaneuver opponents individually.”
- Klara Bühl
- Age: 24
- Position: Left winger
- Joined Bayern: 2020 from SC Freiburg
- Goals/Assists This Season: 2 goals, 4 assists in 5 matches
Player Negotiations and Financial Constraints
Barcelona was close to signing Bühl last season. She visited the club’s training facility in November, expressing interest in a move. However, financial fair play regulations and salary caps hindered the deal. As a result, Bühl opted to renew her contract with Bayern.
Bianca Rech, Bayern’s director of women’s football, highlighted Bühl’s importance, calling her a “powerhouse” and a key asset for the team’s ambitions in Europe, having not reached the semifinals since 2021.
Barcelona’s Squad Development
This season, Barcelona has faced roster changes yet replenished their team with promising young players like Clara Serrajordi and Aïcha Cámara. Paredes noted that this summer’s rest contrasted with the previous year, contributing to better performance on the pitch. The team has scored six more league goals this season compared to last and has conceded significantly fewer.
| Season Comparison | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|
| Last Season | 25 | 3 |
| This Season | 31 | 1 |
Romeu, in his second year as head coach, has implemented more lineup variations to avoid the consistency that previously hindered the team. Paredes shared, “This approach makes everyone feel important. We are capable of performing well, and the results reflect that.”
As Barcelona gears up to face Bayern Munich, the match serves as both a test and an opportunity for the team to rebuild following their disappointing Champions League campaign last year.
