Barça 3-1 Montpeller FC: Winning start
First game, first win. Pere Romeu’s side played their first game of the season in front of the fans at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, beating Montpellier FC 3-1 in a friendly that was primarily about getting minutes under their belts. The game also saw debuts for the new signings: Van Asten started, as did Martina on her return to the team, while Kerolin and McCamey made their debuts in the second half. The women’s first team also wore the Barça Foundation logo on the back of their shirts for the first time, providing a new platform for the club’s social work.
Barça started intent on dominating possession. Although the French side threatened on the counter early on, the home side’s control of the ball gradually pushed the visitors back into a five-player defensive line.
After a quiet opening ten minutes, Ewa Pajor had the clearest chance of the first half with a header from a corner. Van Asten and Brugts combined well down the left, switching between full-back and centre-back on several occasions. Barça B’s Lua Arufe also had an opportunity inside the box around the half-hour mark, but the defence cleared before she could get her shot away.
Patri opens the scoring
In added time, Patri Guijarro scored FC Barcelona’s first goal of the preseason. After a scramble in the box, she was on hand to finish and make it 1-0.
Montpellier level after the break
Montpellier equalised shortly after the restart. A mistake while Barça were playing out from the back allowed Rouquet to fire a right-footed shot past Gemma. Pere Romeu brought on Cata Coll, Sydney, Graham and Carolina at half-time.
Barça responded calmly and regained control of possession. Clàudia Pina started and finished the move that restored the lead, combining with Pajor, who found Graham. After Yilmaz saved Graham’s effort, Pina pounced on the rebound to score her first goal of the preseason and make it 2-1 in the 55th minute.
Changes all round
On the hour mark, Pere Romeu made six changes to share out the minutes, with Paredes, Daniela, Maria, Mayssa, Lídia and Charlotta coming on. Barça slowed the tempo and controlled the game with the ball.
The reward for the young players came through Mayssa Baha. The 15-year-old, playing as the No. 9, finished off a superb move by Caroline Graham Hansen, who raced down the wing before finding Mayssa to tap home Barça’s third.
Kerolin makes her debut
Kerolin made her Barça debut in the final 15 minutes and showed glimpses of her quality. The final whistle confirmed a 3-1 win in Barça’s first preseason friendly, with the next test coming away to Manchester City on 15 August at 5pm.
MATCH STATS
BARÇA, 3
MONTPELLIER, 1
Barça: Gemma Font (Cata Coll, min 45), E.Brugts (Daniela, min 60), Van Asten, M. Torrejón (C) (Paredes, min 60), Martina (Llorella, 60 min); Patri (Vizuete, 60 min), Pina (Lidia Gibert, min 60 i Kerolin, min 77), Vicky (Sydney, min 45); Liv (Graham, min 45), Pajor (Mayssa, min 60), Lúa Arufe (Carolina, min 45).
Montpellier: Yilmaz, Baylet, Gilard, Jelencic, Revelli, Tchakounté, Torrent, Binate, Rouquet, Fontaine (Olezkievicz 41’), Chabod.
Goals: 1-0, Patri (46’), 1-1, Rouquet (51’), 2-1, Pina (55’), 3-1, Mayssa (86’)
Referees: Ainara Andrea, Alexia Mayer, Andrea Salvador & Irene López