The clash at San Mamés on Sunday, Sept. 7, was an eagerly awaited test for FC Barcelona Femení — one they not only passed but dominated. How did coach Pere Romeu set up his side for such a resounding win? Were there still areas to improve? Read on.
Tricky Away Ground
Trips to the Basque Country are always challenging, especially against a side like Athletic Club Bilbao. This match came after the announcement that both Caroline Graham Hansen and Clara Serrajordi had sustained minor injuries following the home opener against Alhama El Pozo, leaving Barça short one key starter and one depth player.
Serrajordi, who impressed against Alhama, likely would have earned at least 30 minutes against Athletic. But a three-week injury sidelined her too soon.
Part of the anticipation stemmed from last season’s return fixture, also at San Mamés. Played in front of a decent, largely home crowd, it was an incredibly defensive game from Athletic — one that put goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares on the map with good saves and an overall resilient performance.
It wasn’t until dangerously close to extra time that Alexia Putellas waved her magic wand, scoring to break the deadlock. Two quick goals from her and Vicky López sealed a 2-0 win. That match provided a blueprint many teams would later adopt: extreme, compact defense paired with quick well-timed counters.
On Sunday, however, that wasn’t the case. By halftime, Athletic trailed by four goals, undone by midfield mastery from Kika Nazareth, Patri Guijarro and Aitana Bonmatí. Despite lining up in a 5-4-1 formation, Athletic was no match for Barça’s press. A classic case of fool me once, Barça found a way to score early and keep counter attacks from Athletic on check at the same time.
Starting XI
Romeu made three changes to the side that faced Alhama, two likely forced by injury: Kika Nazareth started in place of Alexia Putellas (who did not feature), Patri Guijarro replaced Serrajordi, and Vicky López started on the right wing.
The rest of the lineup remained unchanged: Cata Coll in goal; a back line of Esmee Brugts, María León, Irene Paredes and Ona Batlle; a midfield of Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro and Kika Nazareth; and a front three of Vicky López, Ewa Pajor and Salma Paralluelo.
Kika: The Key to Unlocking Extreme Low Blocks
Starting Kika over Alexia surprised many — but proved to have been a good choice. Barça began in a 4-3-3 that often morphed into a 2-1-3-4 to overload Athletic’s 5-4-1 defensive block.
With Athletic deploying two pivots to mark Guijarro — Barça’s primary link between defense and attack — Kika often dropped deeper to offer a second option. This, in turn, freed Brugts to drift inside from left back and join the attack.
Kika was the system’s linchpin: less marked, constantly involved, and omnipresent across the pitch — reminiscent of Mariona Caldentey’s free-roaming style. Starting Putellas, who often draws double- or triple-teams, might have made such fluidity more difficult.
Salma Shows Promise
The front three, supported by Bonmatí as a fourth attacker, had to be ruthlessly efficient against Athletic’s back five (sometimes six). Creativity was essential, and Vicky López tormented her left-back all match, bringing her dribbling and directness to San Mamés.
Pajor, meanwhile, led the press — often chasing in vain, but setting the attacking tone. When Athletic bypassed her, Salma Paralluelo or Vicky stepped in. Salma showed clear improvement: though her finishing needs work, she provided assists, pressed effectively and forced turnovers. Vicky’s opening goal came from one such forced error.
While Vicky showed hunger and technical quality, her pressing technique still requires refinement — a must in Romeu’s system, where coordinated pressure is key to avoiding fatigue and sustaining intensity.
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A Flawed Rest Defense
While Barça’s attack has been unparalleled, the same cannot be said for its rest defense — the players positioned to snuff out counters. Typically, this involves three defenders and two midfielders, occasionally joined by Coll.
Against Athletic, it was often disorganized — yet still effective. The main vulnerability lies on the left: Brugts’ attacking instincts sometimes leave gaps behind her, which faster, more clinical opponents could exploit. She also gave the ball away in the build-up to Athletic’s lone goal — a rare error from the Dutch wingback.
A team with a sharp transition game could easily punish this structure. Rapid tracking back is non-negotiable in Romeu’s system and demands peak physical conditioning.
Subs: Eight Goals to the Good
Once again, Romeu’s substitutions were well-timed and effective. Kika and Maria León made way for Sydney Schertenleib and Laia Aleixandri, maintaining Mapi’s ball-playing quality while freshening the side. Schertenleib slotted seamlessly into Kika’s role as midfield orchestrator.
Later, Claudia Pina replaced Guijarro, allowing Schertenleib to drop deeper and Pina to assume the attacking midfield duties. With Athletic overloading midfield, Barça’s reintroduction of a free No. 8 — first Kika, then Pina — proved key.
Also encouraging: Bonmatí looks back to her scoring best, with improved shooting from distance and more midfield-driven play easing the wingers’ burden.
By the time Aïcha Camara came on, the game was as good as over. Ona Batlle — for perhaps the first time under Romeu — switched to left back. In the end, Barça’s eight goals came through hardwork, variety and sheer attacking overload, working around and through Athletic’s defense.
