Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
If you need your fix of football whilst the stars of La Liga are away on international duty, may I recommend El Clásico Femenino? The two Spanish giants’ women’s sides will be facing off against each other three times within nine days. It’s a rivalry just as fierce as that of the men.
It’s no surprise that the two top teams in Spain have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The best players are also found in both clubs. They reflect the unique values that each club represents. Real Madrid and Barcelona play and operate in a very different way. FC Barcelona Femení set the standards, not just in Spain, but in the whole world of club football. The club has won three European titles and has dominated Liga F ever year since 2019.
The football they play is very Barça: quick, slick, and stylish. From the under-8’s to senior teams, all are taught this style of play. Coach Pere Romu has progressed through the academy. When he started, he was coaching Gavi. Now he works with the best of the women’s game. Aitana Bonmatí is an outstanding footballer. Ignore her gender. She’s an incredible technician. Unfortunately, she is currently recovering from a fractured leg. However, they can rely upon another two-time World Player of the year in Alexia Putella.
Several people predicted the bubble burst after they were shocked by Arsenal’s victory in the Champions League final of last season. The views were reinforced when the club’s financial problems led to senior players not receiving new contracts during the summer. Just like the men’s department, they have a thriving academy and they have promoted youth players to the highest level of the game; four teenagers played in the first quarter final with 19-year-old Vicky López taking a starring role.
Real Madrid is a few decades behind. The club was already established, so they had to import and invest in talent. Caroline Weir is the leader of a much more international team. Linda Caicedo, a Columbian international who scored two spectacular individual goals in this week’s first semi-final, is one of their most exciting players. The team is still a work-in-progress; the first leg was lost 2-6. It was before a full house at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium. It is notable that they are the only team to have not chosen to host the quarter-final at their main stadium.
The two teams will meet at the same venue on Sunday evening when Madrid looks to avenge themselves in the league game. Next Thursday it will appear that the quarter-final result is a formality, as Barca had a four-goal lead from the previous leg. This won’t deter the thousands of fans who are expected to turn out. In 2022 they played at the same stage and set a record of 91,000 fans for a match. It will only be possible because of the smaller capacity of the Camp Nou, which is still being built. The price has been set at 25 euros to ensure that all seats are taken. You will not be dissapointed if you tune in.
