Roma’s European campaign met its first major test at the Tre Fontane, where Barcelona’s long-running authority in the Women’s Champions League was evident before half-time. Alessandro Spugna’s side had begun the league phase with disappointment at Leuven, but the response against one of the continent’s defining teams proved difficult to sustain as Barcelona built a two-goal lead.
The decision
Roma arrived in the second round of the league phase looking to turn the page after their draw with Leuven, a match in which they missed a penalty in the 90th minute. The Giallorosse had also lost the Serie A Women’s Cup final to Juventus on penalties, although their domestic season had opened more positively with an away win over Sassuolo.
At the Tre Fontane, coach Luca Piovani selected Baldi in goal, with Bergamaschi, Antoine, Oladipo and Oliviero across the defence. Greggi, Rieke and Giugliano formed the midfield, while Thogersen, Piemonte and Pellegrino Cimò made up the front line.
Barcelona, coached by Pere Romeu, started with Cata Coll; Schertenleib, Irene Paredes, Martina and Brugts; Serrajordi, Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina; with Caroline Graham Hansen, Pajor and Kerolin in attack. The visitors came to Rome having won their opening European match against Paris FC and carrying a formidable recent record: they have reached the final in each of the past six editions of the competition, winning four.
Roma began with purpose. Giugliano released Thogersen into space early on, though the move was stopped for offside before her cross could reach Pellegrino Cimò. Barcelona soon settled into the evening, however, and Irene Paredes sent Graham Hansen through for an angled effort which went wide.
The breakthrough arrived in the 19th minute. Graham Hansen received the ball outside the area, drew Roma’s defence across the pitch, moved infield and finished with her right foot. Roma were unable to close the Norwegian down decisively, and Barcelona had their lead.
The goal brought a nervous spell for the home side. Pellegrino Cimò played an inaccurate back-pass towards Baldi, who had to clear under pressure. Barcelona then threatened again on the break, with Graham Hansen advancing down the right before Baldi got ahead of Kerolin to prevent the cross from finding its intended target.
Kerolin went close herself in the 33rd minute, striking just beyond the post after Barcelona worked an opening at the edge of the box. Six minutes later, the second goal came through the same combination that had repeatedly troubled Roma. Claudia Pina carried the ball inside, found Graham Hansen on the right, and continued her run to receive the return pass before scoring.
Barcelona led 2-0 after 39 minutes, leaving Roma to find a response against a side whose European standards have set the reference point in recent seasons.
The match was officiated by English referee Kirsty Dowle, assisted by Emily Carney and Anastasiya Voloshchuk. Welsh official Carpenter was the fourth official, with Bakes and Kazakhstan’s Sorokopudova assigned to VAR duties.
