Barça Women faced one of their closest rivals in the league and this high quality game did not disappoint. The 2-1 victory over Levante UD featured both excellent defending and quick attacking moves, but the midfielder scored the goals to seal a sixth consecutive Liga F win and cement top spot.
Aitana pulls the strings
Barca were quickly taken out of the blocks and quickly took control of the game due to the high pressure tactics employed by Jonathan Giraldez and has a coaching staff. Levante UD simply couldn’t get out of their own half, with Aitana, Patri and Engen patrolling midfield. It was precisely the latter two who combined for the first goal, Patri sending a corner into the box to Ingrid Engen header (1-0).
Levante’s best chance was to counter at that moment and Gemma font was on his toes to snuff out the opponent’s threat repeatedly. Barça continues to move forward, pushed by the industrious Aitana. Shortly after and in her 200th game for the club, the Catalan struck a left-footed shot from the edge of the box through the keeper and into the far post to make it 2-0 after 40 minutes.
It just seemed to stimulate the visitors, who reacted quickly, breaking the right before Antonia crossed to Redondo header at the far post, 2-1 and play at halftime.
Second half resolution
The intention was clearly to try and put the game to bed after half time, but unfortunately despite hard work throughout the game, geyse didn’t have his shooting boots on today. Time and time again Barca swept forward but another goal as a reward for his efforts was not forthcoming. Summer signing Salma Parallel came on for her second-half debut and nearly landed a powerful shot from outside the box with her first touch.
Levante entered more into the game as the pace dropped and they pushed to equalize, with Barca looking very dangerous on the counterattack. The last 10 minutes saw the home defense put to the test, but their resolve saw a tough spell to win their sixth successive La Liga F game.
Then a very short trip to Municipal Camp of Las Planes for the match of the first day of the rearranged championship against Levant Las Planas November 3.
Game statistics
Barca, 2
Levante UD, 1
Barca: Gemma, Paredes, María León, Crnogorcevic (Oshoala min. 74), Mariona (Pina min. 74), Patri (Walsh min. 85), Aitana, Bronze, Rolfö, Geyse (Paralluelo min. 64) and Engen.
Levante UD: María, Mendoza, Méndez, Antonia (Calligaris min. 68), Fernández (Pinto, min. 55), Ramírez (Erika González min. 88), Lloris (Ferez min. 68), Andonova, Redondo, Baños and Tomás.
Goals: 1-0, Engen (min. 14); 2-0, Aitana (min. 41); 2-1, Alba Redondo (min. 43)
Referees: Olatz Rivera, Elena Mianer, Marta Villanueva, Mireya Melero. Yellow card for Lloris from Levante UD (min. 30)
