At Tre Fontane in Rome, Barcelona’s European champions delivered another emphatic statement of intent, dismantling Italian titleholders Roma 6-0 in the Champions League. Pere Romeu’s side had to work against a home team prepared to play from the back and attack with conviction, but Barcelona’s defensive diligence and ruthless finishing turned the evening into a commanding continental display.
Roma’s brave approach meets Barcelona’s control
Gianpiero Piovani sent Roma out without abandoning their usual personality. Rather than sitting deep in expectation of a heavy defeat, the hosts built short from the goalkeeper and found several routes towards Cata Coll’s area.
Barcelona, however, paired their familiar attacking fluency with a notably committed collective effort without the ball. Even Kerolin tracked all the way back to her own byline during the first half as the visitors closed spaces and protected their goalkeeper.
The breakthrough arrived through Caroline Graham Hansen, who seized control in midfield before carrying the ball beyond a series of challenges. From just outside the penalty spot area, the Norwegian drove a precise shot inside the right-hand post.
- Graham Hansen opened the scoring after a solo surge from midfield.
- Roma resisted initially but conceded again before half-time.
- Claudia Pina combined with Graham Hansen in a sharp exchange before Oladipo diverted the ball into her own net as Pina prepared to finish.
Pina and Graham Hansen take the game away
Roma’s task became still harder early in the second half. Clara Serrajordi won possession high up the pitch, Ewa Pajor supplied the pass, and Pina controlled before striking low with her left foot to make it 3-0.
Graham Hansen then produced the night’s most composed piece of attacking craft. Serrajordi threaded a fine pass between the lines, and the winger ran at the defence before wrong-footing two defenders and the goalkeeper: she shaped to shoot with her right, then finished with her left.
Patri Guijarro came close to an extraordinary fifth goal when she attempted a shot from the halfway line. Roma goalkeeper Baldi stretched out a hand to divert the effort, which was heading towards the top corner.
- Claudia Pina scored Barcelona’s third after Serrajordi’s pressing and Pajor’s assist.
- Graham Hansen struck again to complete her brace.
- Baldi denied Guijarro what would have been a remarkable long-range goal.
Returns and a six-goal finish in the capital
With the result secure, Romeu used his bench and welcomed further important returns. Aitana Bonmatí, already back in Liga F action, made her European comeback, while Carla Julià, Aïcha and Rosalia also entered the match. Renee Van Asten returned after injury as Barcelona continued to rotate from a position of strength.
Pina added Barcelona’s fifth from outside the area, with a slight forced deflection off the Roma defence changing the ball’s path and leaving Baldi unable to keep it out. Pajor completed the 6-0 scoreline with the sort of close-range finish expected from the Polish striker.
The margin was severe for Roma, despite their willingness to take the game on, and it reinforced Barcelona’s standing as the side to catch in Europe. The holders left the Italian capital with another clean sheet, another major win and their pursuit of a fifth Women’s Champions League crown firmly on course.
