FC Barcelona begins its journey towards the fifth consecutive league title against Madrid CFF (7:00 p.m.)
Giráldez will not be able to count on Jana, Salma and Walsh, all three in the infirmary
The wait was long but, finally, the F League – and the season – begins for FC Barcelona, which has not played an official match since the Champions League final in Eindhoven, on June 3. After a more than busy summer – due to ups and downs, the World Cup, the strike over the collective agreement and the biggest crisis in the Spanish team that affects an important part of the Barça squad – the ball will roll again today.
With a team with new faces, like those of Ona Batlle and Esmee Brugts -who may debut in an official match-, and with notable absences, such as those of Ana Maria Crnogorcevic, Geyse Ferreira, Laia Codina, Nuria Rábano and Emma Ramirez, Barça begins its journey towards a new record. They could become the first team to win five league titles in a row.
They do it against their last executioner, Madrid CFF (7:00 p.m., DAZN), who were the only team to beat them in the domestic competition (2-1) last season, precisely on the last day. A single goal Alexia Putellas in the second half it was insufficient to neutralize a double from Kundananji before the break. And the Zambian forward continues to be the biggest danger for a Madrid team that has two players with a Barça past: Esther Labordetransferred precisely this summer, and Aida Estevewho did not make his debut with the culé first team.
Three casualties
Jonatan Giráldez has taken a total of twenty players to Madrid, among whom are not Jana Fernandez -due to an overload on the quadriceps-, Salma Paralluelo -due to a distension of the posterior capsule of his left knee-, nor Keira Walsh -with a muscle injury to the soleus-.
In their place, three footballers from the reserve team in first team dynamics, who will be regular in the calls for this course: Vicky Lopez, Martina Fernandez and Lucia Corrales.