In Vitoria-Gasteiz, under the lights at Mendizorroza, Barcelona began the fourth round of Liga F Moeve with a demanding visit to newly promoted Alavés. The champions arrived with a perfect start behind them, while the home side had already shown that its return to the top division would not be a quiet one.
Key takeaways
- Barcelona came into the match with nine points from three games, having scored 13 times and conceded twice.
- Alavés had collected six points, with home victories over Valencia and Granada.
- Clara Serrajordi returned to Barcelona’s squad after recovering from a right wrist fracture sustained with Spain’s under-20 team in August.
- Pere Romeu selected a 4-3-3, with Sydney operating once more down the flank.
- Lucía Espinosa of Madrid was appointed referee for the 20:00 kick-off.
A resilient host awaits the league leaders
Barcelona’s trip north brought together first and seventh in the early Liga F table. Alavés had scored only three goals in their opening fixtures but had allowed just one, a record reflecting the compact and disciplined side Romeu expected to meet.
The Barcelona coach described the Vitorian team as competitive, committed and united, highlighting the quality of its defensive work. Their early home wins against Valencia and Granada had given the promoted club a valuable six-point platform before the visit of the league leaders.
Barcelona’s starting side featured Gemma in goal, behind Sydney, Marta, Martina and Lúa. Patri, Vicky and Carolina formed the midfield, while Graham, Pajor and Kerolin led the attack.
Alavés made the first attempt of note in the third minute, when Brima, identified as the Baltic league’s leading scorer, tested Gemma. The opening moments underlined the task awaiting Barcelona in a city where the hosts had already made their home ground count.
Serrajordi’s return adds depth
The most significant inclusion in Barcelona’s 19-player travelling group was midfielder Clara Serrajordi. She had been cleared to return after a fracture of the styloid process in her right radius, suffered during Spain under-20 duty in mid-August.
Romeu’s full match squad comprised Gemma, Sydney, Kerolin, Marta, Pina, Graham, Patri, Clara Serrajordi, Pajor, Kika, Vicky, Brugts, Martina, McCamey, Lúa Arufe, Carolina, Mayssa, Daniela and Martina G.
