Carrying a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg, Barcelona Women will want to make their progression to the semi-finals a surety at their fortress Camp Nou against Roma Women. The winner of the tie will go on to face either Chelsea or Lyon in the last four.
BAR-W vs ROM-W Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Time: 18:45 (CET) / 22:15 (IST)
Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
BAR-W vs ROM-W Match Preview
It was not a totally convincing performance from Barcelona Women by their own standards at the Stadio Olimpico but they got the results they wanted. The in-form Salma Paralluelo struck past the hour mark to give the Blaugranas the lead in anticipation for the team to build on her strike for more goals to take home. Instead, Roma Women held firm with their dogged defending and goalkeeper Camelia Caesar making a total of nine saves in the match in an outstanding performance to frustrate the visitors. Her opposite number Sandra Panos also had to be alert in making some big saves to prevent the home side’s counter-attacks from doing any real damage. Barcelona faced another strong defensive display from their rivals Real Madrid Women in the El Classico, only got settled by a Fridolina Rolfo penalty for the 1-0 win in the league last weekend. Manager Jonatan Giraldez will now want his side to get back to scoring tons of goals and having full control of the game. He hopes that happens on Wednesday in front of a 50 thousand or above home support in Camp Nou to set their path to the semifinals. After all, the Catalan giants have won their last three encounters in the Women’s Champions League with a combined score of 18-0.
For a side that is playing for the first time in the knockouts of the Women's Champions League, it was an effort to remember if not the result for Roma Women. In front of a record-breaking crowd for a women’s game in Italy, they could have easily drawn against tournament favorites like Barcelona if one of their counter-attacks made its way into the net. However, the Italians will have to shake off the result from their mind as they buckle up for a tough trip to Spain for the second leg. Another prudent display of solidity is required in the most difficult places to visit by any side if Roma are to pull off a major upset. Star striker Valentina Giacinti did not find the back of the net in the first leg but the Serie A Femminile front-runners will keep faith so she could add to her five goals tally in the Champions League. Roma also had a weekend to rest and prepare for this huge clash where Barcelona had to work hard to unlock their rivals' defense, not from open play though. All of those could play a factor in the visitors making themselves sound amidst a roaring home crowd.
Recent Form (all competitions)
BAR-W: WWWWW
ROM-W: LWWWW
Recent Form (Champions League)
BAR-W: WWWLW
ROM-W: LWLDW
BAR-W vs ROM-W Team News
Barcelona Women had welcoming news of Alexia Putellas returning to team training on Monday after tearing her cruciate ligament ahead of the Euros in July last year. The consecutive-time Balon d’Or winner won’t be available for selection yet. Mariona Caldentey with a hamstring injury and Claudia Pina for her ankle remain out of contention. Giraldez will make changes to the side after resting several players for this match in the El Classico at the weekend.
Guests Roma Women will not have the service of Sophie Roman Haug after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this month. Alessandro Spugna is likely to stick with the eleven that started the first leg at home although Benedetta Glionna could come in after impressing from the bench in the first leg.
BAR-W vs ROM-W Predicted Lineups
BAR-W: Sandra Panos; Lucy Bronze, Irene Paredes, Mapi Leon, Fridolina Rolfo; Aitana Bonmati, Keira Walsh, Patricia Guijarro; Graham Hansen, Salma Paralluelo, Geyse
ROM-W: Camelia Caesar; Elisa Bartoli, Carina Wenninger, Elina Linari, Moeka Minami; Benedetta Glionna, Manuela Giugliano, Giada Greggi, Emilie Haavi; Andressa Alves, Valentina Giacinti
BAR-W vs ROM-W Head to head
BAR-W won - 1
Draw - 0
ROM-W won - 0
BAR-W vs ROM-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Panos (8)
DEF: Minami (9), Linari (7.5), Leon (7.5), Rolfo (9)
MID: Giugliano (9), Bonmarti (8.5), Guijarro (8)
FW: Hansen (7), Giacinti (9), Paralluelo (8)
Captain: Fridolina Rolfo
Vice-captain: Aitana Bonmarti
