Everything has a beginning and an end. 719 days later, Barça lost a League F match. From that June 1, 2021, when they lost to Atlético de Madrid 4-3, to today, defeated by Madrid CFF 2-1 to put an end to to a streak of 64 consecutive games without losing. In between, two consecutive leagues without giving their rivals any option. For this reason, Barça came out without pressure and with a competitive eleven but with Alexia still on the bench.
With the league already in their pocket for four days, for the Catalans it was the last test before the Champions League final on June 3 in Eindhoven against Wolfsburg. The most positive aspect of the match was Alexia’s scoring return (her last goal for Barça was on May 29, 2022 in the Copa de la Reina final) which was celebrated as another step in her recovery and adaptation process to the team thirteen days before the European final where Putellas seeks to raise his second European gimp. The bad news came in the 21st minute, when Oshoala had to retire. The Nigerian attacker and the team’s top scorer in the league (21 goals) left the field with discomfort in the back of her left thigh and with a serious expression thirteen days before the appointment with Wolfsburg.
It was not the only setback for Barça in the first part. The champions came out without a spark and Madrid CFF took advantage of it to take the lead with a brace from Kundananji in just seven minutes. Alexia came out in the second half to save the furniture and it would take three minutes to close the gap and score again after his serious injury. The Catalan took advantage of a rebound from a corner to finish off at will and add some emotion, but the scoreboard no longer moved and Barça fell 2-1 in the league almost two years after their last defeat at Atleti’s field by 4 -3.
That match at the Atlético de Madrid sports complex and the one played today –Sunday- against Madrid CFF have several similarities. Barça, led by Lluís Cortés at the time, presented themselves as European champions for the first time after beating Chelsea 4-0 and with the league title already won. The current one is just one step away from revalidating the European title and with the league already under his arm. Players from the current squad such as Alexia, Aitana, Mapi León, Sandra Paños, Mariona, Oshoala or Jana played in that culé setback and coincidentally today they also participated in the defeat.
Today, just like two seasons ago, the game is of no consequence, but it leaves a bitter taste before the grand final against Wolfsburgo due to the image of the first half and Oshoala’s injury. From the club they downplay the importance of the defeat and consider that the true objective of the season was to win the league and prepare for the European final. “Now it’s time to prepare for the most important game,” Giraldez assured after conceding his first league defeat as a culé coach.
You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes on Facebook and Twitteror sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
