FC Barcelona - Athletic Club
- 50'75' J. Hermoso
- 87' Pina
- 91' Aitana
LocationJohan Cruyff , Sant Joan Despí
5.147 assistants
The Lionesses show spirit despite loss to FC Barcelona
The Lionesses kept FC Barcelona at bay for the first half but eventually lost 4-0
Athletic Club Women’s Primera Iberdrola fixture against FC Barcelona was held at a sold-out Estadi Johan Cruyff, the stadium welcoming the recent Ballon d’Or winner (and their four other nominees), Alexia Putellas.
The Lionesses managed to do what no other teams has managed to do this season: not concede a goal in the first half against the Blaugrana. Athletic performed at a good level throughout the match but were defeated despite a brave defensive performance.
As expected, FC Barcelona took the initiative early. However, The Lionesset had a great first half in defence, managing to contain the home side’s dangerous forward line.
Athletic’s Quiñones made a great save in the 27th minute from Rolfö’s close-range shot. Then forward Lucía García had a good chance for the Lionesses on the half hour mark, but Paños saved the effort. On the stroke of half-time, Barça’s Torrejón sent a header from a corner onto the crossbar.
Hermoso breaks the deadlock
Jenni Hermoso took advantage of a good pass by Torrejón to score the Catalans’ first with a well-placed shot on 49 minutes. Guijarro could have increased the deficit, but her 55th-minute shot went narrowly over the bar.
Shortly afterwards, Quiñones was on hand to stop Barcelona again. However, the effort needed to keep Barça at bay was taking its toll on the Lionesses and the Blaugrana were looking increasingly threatening.
In the 76th minute, Jenni Hermoso got her second making the most of some good fortune after a rebound from a messy passage of play fell at her feet.
The Lionesses kept going toe to toe with the reigning champions, but the home side were becoming too difficult to contain. Claudia Pina made it 3-0 with a powerful shot from outside the area. Quiñones also had time to pull off a spectacular save just before injury-time.
Aitana Bonmatí rounded off the victory in stoppage time, rounding Quiñones in a one-on-one. The Lionesses fought hard and lost without disgrace against a side who still can’t find an opponent capable of beating them.
