Barcelona begin the defence of their Women’s Champions League crown on Wednesday night with Paris FC arriving at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, 123 days after the Catalan side beat OL Lyonnes in Oslo to secure a fourth European title.
The opening match of the league phase, scheduled for 21:00, brings Barcelona back into continental competition with a reshaped squad and the familiar burden of expectation. Pere Romeu’s side are seeking to retain the four trophies won last season while adding the Champions Cup to their collection.
A new European campaign begins
- Barcelona ended last season at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, where victory over OL Lyonnes delivered their fourth Women’s Champions League.
- Four months later, they return to Europe against Paris FC, runners-up in France last season and coached by Sandrine Soubeyrand.
- The long-term destination is Warsaw, Poland, but Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor insisted that the route to the final must be taken match by match.
Romeu said the Oslo triumph remains a special memory, but stressed that it cannot carry Barcelona through a new campaign. “I remember Oslo very fondly, but that is now behind us,” he said. “There is a new challenge ahead. We have not achieved anything yet; we are starting again.”
Barcelona’s European title has brought even greater scrutiny. Romeu accepted that his team will again be measured as one of the competition’s leading contenders, while maintaining that the work remains unchanged: preparation to win.
“At this club, everybody is expected to compete for every trophy,” he said. “That applies whether you are young or experienced, whether you have been here for years or have just joined.”
Changes in Barcelona’s squad
The holders have experienced considerable movement since the final in Norway. Alexia Putellas, Mapi León, Ona Batlle, Salma Paralluelo, Txell Font, Giulia Dragoni and Martine Fenger are no longer part of the group, while Kerolin Nicoli, Martina Fernández, Renee van Asten and Tyler McCamey have joined.
Romeu believes the side have retained the qualities that made them Europe’s standard-bearers. He pointed to a strong identity and elite-level players, while also suggesting that the altered squad could create major opportunities for those who had fewer high-profile matches last year.
“Every season offers another chance,” Romeu said. “Some excellent players did not necessarily get the chance to play in the biggest games last year. This season may open that door for them.”
He also praised the early-season condition of his players, saying several have already reached a very high individual level for September and that it reflects the standard of daily training and the collective level.
Barcelona may nevertheless be without Vicky López and Kika Nazareth. Both missed the final training session before the Paris FC fixture.
Pajor targets Warsaw and a longer stay
Pajor, last season’s leading scorer in the Women’s Champions League, has set her sights on the final in her home country. “Our aim is to reach Warsaw, but there is a long way to go,” the Polish forward said. “There are many games, so we have to take it one at a time.”
She expects opponents to raise their level against Barcelona, describing that challenge as a natural consequence of facing the world’s best team. But she said the European champions are ready for the attention.
The forward also addressed her future, with her Barcelona contract due to expire at the end of the season. Pajor made clear that she wants to remain at the club for many more years, citing the quality within the squad and coaching staff as reasons she can continue to improve every day.
