Eibar 0-4 Barça: Big win at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium
Another win for Barça Women and more positives to take into the upcoming challenges. The final away trip in the league before the Copa de la Reina final saw the blaugranes come away 0-4 winners against Eibar at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium. Alexia scored after the break, adding to first half goals by Salma, Torrejón and Graham.
Straight on the attack
Recent achievements or upcoming challenges were clearly not on the minds of Jonatan Giráldez' side, as they began in their characteristic attacking mode. Salma first tested Noelia García within the first 10 minutes, before Alexia had a go herself. Both efforts were off target, but the goal was soon to come, Caroline Graham Hansen with a superb ball right through the corridor of uncertainty that Salma Paralluelo finished at the back post (0-1). That made it 18 assists for Norwegian and 18 goals for Spaniard.
The second goal soon followed, this time Rolfö with a cross from the left that Eibar keeper García couldn't claim correctly, and after a poor clearance from the home side, there was Marta Torrejón in the box to take a touch and smash it in from inside the penalty area (0-2).
Graham gets her goal before the break
Barça clearly wanted more goals, having 14 shots in the first half alone, with possession hovering around the 80% mark, and the next goal came before half-time. The Eibar defence managed to repel an Alexia shot after 38 minutes, but Aitana picked up the rebound and threaded a pass through to Graham to score with a low shot (0-3).
Eibar reorganised their defence line after the restart, while Barça continued to dominate possession. Coach Giráldez brought on Vicky López and Bruna Vilamala, and later Giulia Dragoni, Esmee Brugts and Martina Fernández to keep things fresh on the field. The fourth goal was created by substitute Vilamala, who put in a great cross for Alexia, who headed in superbly across the keeper (0-4). Another cross-shot by Bruna after 78 minutes was saved by the home side's keeper, but this comfortable 0-4 win means that's now 27 Liga F wins for Barça Women this season so far.
Next stop - the Copa de la Reina and Women's Champions League finals
With the Liga F won and celebrated, the next two Saturdays really are pivotal dates, as the blaugranes are set to play in the Copa de la Reina and the Women's Champions League finals on May 18 and 25 respectively. This is the business end of the season and despite the Women's side having all the qualities to get the job done, fan support is vital for achieving these milestones.
As such, FC Barcelona Desplazaments is offering round-trip travel to Zaragoza for the Copa de la Reina final and to Bilbao for the Women's Champions League final, with prices for coach travel ranging from 31 to 49 Euros, and available to all fans with a ticket for the relevant game.
MATCH STATS
Eibar 0
Barça 4
Eibar: Noelia García; Andrea Sierra, Carla Andrés (Honoka Yonei, min. 64), Juliana Paulino, Noko Matlou (Ana Pérez 'Puyi', min. 81); Annelie Leitner, Arene Altonaga (Zaïra Flores, min. 75), Elba Vergés, Amani Kakounan (Eva Van Deursen, min. 64), Eider Arana; Ane Campos (Esperanza Pizarro, min. 64).
Barça: Sandra Paños; Marta Torrejón, Jana Fernández, Ingrid Engen (Martina Fernández, min. 72), Fridolina Rolfö (Esmee Brugts, min. 72); Aitana Bonmatí (Vicky López, min. 63), Keira Walsh, Alexia Putellas; Caroline Graham Hansen (Bruna Vilamala, min. 63), Ariana Jiménez (Giulia Dragoni, min. 72), Salma Paralluelo.
Goals: 0-1, Salma Paralluelo (min. 16); 0-2, Marta Torrejón (min. 20); 0-3, Caroline Graham (min. 38); 0-4, Alexia Putellas (min. 71).
Referee: Raquel Suárez.
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