Barça Women v Atlético de Madrid: Still in second place (1-1)

All even at the Ciutat Esportiva (1-1). FC Barcelona Women were unable to secure the three points in their home game against table-topping Atlético and they remain one point behind the league leaders. The blaugranas were unable to take this opportunity to overtake their opponents. However, there are still eight games to go so anything could happen.

Atlético were tactically very good and they were compact and hard to score against, particularly in the first half. Sonia gave them the lead before FC Barcelona’s Andressa Alves secured a point for her side from the penalty spot.

From the start, Atlético showed why they are top of the league and they took the initiative in the first half. They didn’t control possession or create most of the play but they defensively very well positioned and they had a touch of quality in the ex-blaugrana Sonia Bermúdez. She opened the scoring in the 22nd minute following a misunderstand between the Barça defence and the keeper Paños which she made the most of with a long-range strike. Fran Sánchez’s side lost their rhythm and found it hard to create many chances of note.

Following the break, the blaugranas began to find more gaps and Andressa Alves converted a penalty to make it 1-1 in the 49th minute. The home team took confidence from this and pushed for a winner with renewed intentisty and determination. Andonova and Martens both went close. They had chances but were unable to convert them.

That being said, they also restricted Atlético. Other than Sonia’s effort which hit the post they didn’t look like scoring the winner. In the end, the blaugranas remain in second place, one point behind the league leaders, with everything still to play for in the Liga Iberdrola.