Barcelona’s European journey begins again tonight.
Just a few months after lifting their fourth UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy, Barça Femení return to the biggest stage in women’s club football as they welcome Paris FC to the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
Kick-off is at 21:00 CEST, with Pere Romeu’s side starting their title defence against a Paris FC team that will arrive in Barcelona with nothing to lose.
A new Champions League campaign
There is always something special about the first Champions League game of the season, but this one carries an extra level of expectation for Barça.
Barcelona enter the competition as defending champions after their memorable victory over OL Lyonnes in last season’s final. Now, the challenge is to do it all again.
The new league phase means every match matters, and Barça know that starting strongly at home can set the tone for what promises to be a demanding European campaign.
Paris FC are not an unfamiliar opponent either. The two teams met in last season’s competition, with Barça coming away from Paris with a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Vicky López and Caroline Graham Hansen.
Barça dealing with several absences
The biggest question heading into tonight’s game is the Barcelona squad.
Aitana Bonmatí and Laia Aleixandri remain unavailable, while Vicky López and Kika Nazareth are also expected to miss the match after not training with the team ahead of the game. Renee Van Asten and the Spain U20 players Aïcha Camara and Carla Julià are also among the absentees.
There is, however, some positive news for Romeu.
Irene Paredes is back and available, providing an important boost to a defence that has already had to deal with several changes early in the season.
Claudia Pina could once again be asked to play a deeper role in midfield. She has already made an impressive start to the season, contributing five goals and three assists in four matches.
Pajor, Graham and Kerolin to lead the attack?
With some important players missing, Barça will need their attacking players to make the difference.
Ewa Pajor remains one of the team’s biggest goalscoring threats, while Caroline Graham Hansen provides the creativity and individual quality that can unlock even the most organised defence.
There will also be plenty of attention on Kerolin, the Brazilian forward who joined Barça during the summer after her spell with Manchester City. UEFA highlighted her arrival as one of the key changes to Barcelona’s squad ahead of their title defence.
If Barça can move the ball quickly and create space around the Paris FC defence, these attacking players could have a major role to play.
Paris FC will make it difficult
Paris FC should not be underestimated.
The French side reached the knockout phase play-offs of last season’s Champions League and have already shown that they can compete against strong European opposition.
They also have attacking quality of their own, with Evelyne Viens among the players to watch after joining the club ahead of this campaign. Clara Matéo is another important threat, offering movement, creativity and an ability to contribute goals.
Barcelona may have home advantage, but Paris FC are unlikely to simply sit back and make things comfortable.
Another European night begins
For Barça, tonight is about more than three points.
It is the beginning of another attempt to reach the final in Warsaw and defend the crown they worked so hard to win last season.
The squad is not at full strength, but the expectations remain the same.
At the Johan Cruyff, under the Champions League lights, Barça Femení begin their latest European adventure.
Barcelona vs Paris FC. 21:00 CEST.
The champions are back.
Visca Barça!
