Barcelona enter new era aiming to retain Women’s Champions League crown
Paris: Barcelona begin their defence of the Women’s Champions League title on Wednesday as the Catalans aim to maintain their status as Europes’s leading club side while beginning a new era following the departure of captain Alexia Putellas.
The two-time former Ballon d’Or winner skippered Barca to victory over OL Lyonnes in last season’s final in Oslo before leaving for ambitious English Women’s Super League outfit London City Lionesses.
Her departure attracted most headlines but other stars of the Barcelona side that has replaced Lyon as the Champions League’s outstanding team have also left.
Defender Mapi Leon followed Putellas to London City, the club backed by billionaire American businesswoman Michele Kang. Full-back Ona Batlle joined Arsenal and forward Salma Paralluelo signed for Lyon.
However, coach Pere Romeu signed a new contract, while his squad for this season still features six players nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Aitana Bonmati is not nominated for the award she won in each of the last three years, but will be hoping for a big season after recovering from a broken leg.
Barcelona have been in seven of the last eight Champions League finals, winning four.
Their aim is to retain their crown, despite deciding not to pay the kind of wages being offered to players by their leading European rivals.
“Here at Barca we can be relaxed about the fact this is a place where players grow and where we have a young squad that in some ways is still full of veterans,” Romeu told El Mundo Deportivo.
“I think here we have something that is difficult to get with clubs that are run differently, which is that sense of belonging that is generated and is very important for the development of the players.”
On Putellas leaving, he added: “A fundamental piece of our squad has gone, but the club as a whole is way more important than any player or coach.”
Barcelona begin their campaign at home to Paris FC. Later on they will notably host Arsenal in a repeat of the 2025 final.
