FC Barcelona can feel completely at home in this respect, because the trip to Camp Nou actually means the preliminary climax of a story of emancipation. Overall, Southern Europe is a late starter in women’s football. When Barça’s women’s department professionalized in 2015, neither Spanish clubs nor the national team played a major role internationally.
The Catalans then reached the Champions League final in 2019. Last summer they became the first southern European team to win the title, beating Chelsea 4-0 in the final.
Late at night home from training
Barça midfielder Melanie Serrano, 32, lived through the days when young girls could only train late at night in the back seats. Sometimes she had to leave earlier to catch the last train to her home in Blanes.
When she talked about the forthcoming highlight on Monday, she was proud of the long way the women have come. Now they work under practically the same conditions as the men and are admired for their fluid play in the house style.
The longing to present it in front of tens of thousands on one of the sacred pitches of world football has matured over the years. “Stretched to the Breaking” are the emotions, explains Serrano.
“Butterflies in the stomach”
“There is only one first time and it will be unforgettable”says midfielder Patri Guijarro, she reports from “Butterflies in the Stomach”. Normally, the Barça women play in the second stadium on the club campus. On average, 3,000 people come to league matches, a lot in women’s football.
But still no comparison to the intimidating dimensions of the Camp Nou. “It’s a special game, everyone knows that”striker Claudia Pina describes the atmosphere in the dressing room. “We don’t need to tell each other anything, one look is enough to assure ourselves of what’s coming.”
Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez should be reassured that his side will go into the match with a head start. In the first leg, she looked sluggish like never before this season, was 1-0 down at half-time and only equalized with a penalty after a controversial intervention by the video referee.
In the final phase, however, Pina and Alexia still secured a 3:1 victory. A cushion so as not to mentally block today, because Giráldez has stated for women’s football: “Until now, a lot of the mood in the stands has tended to favor the visiting teams.”
Real Madrid still have some catching up to do
But should a new era really dawn, full stadiums will one day also be something of routine for women. In Spain, the Clásico in particular should ensure lasting interest. Real Madrid is still only in the third year of its involvement in women’s football and was not even able to fill its small second stadium in the first leg.
But in view of the eternal rivalry between the two clubs, the capital city should soon increase the stakes – if only to not leave the field to the archenemy from Catalonia like today with the possible world record.