Four years can mean a world. In the cyclone called football, time flows quickly and leaves a multitude of moments and names in its wake. Almost without being able to think about what will cease to be. In what is no longer. The women’s Classic – which inherits this nomenclature from the men’s – is proof of this, with a new event that will take place today (8:00 p.m., DAZN) at the Alfredo Di Stéfano. Many things have changed since that October 4, 2020 in which Real Madrid and Barcelona shook hands in the first fight in their history in women’s football -with permission from Heel – Barça a season before, the transition season-. Minus one: the Blaugranas have not stopped winning. In the photo, almost 30 different faces, two technicians who experienced that first meeting from the outside and some empty stands and a harangue for the history of Alexia Putellas.
This is the League F classification.
Because whoever thinks about the duel that took place then on field 11 of Valdebebas – the Real Madrid women’s team did not play at the Di Stéfano until a year later, with its debut in the Champions League – will surely remember some of the names that were part of the first Clásico between white and azulgranas: Peter, Marta Corredera, Kenti Robles, Ivana Andrés, Kaci, Maite Oroz, Asllani, Marta Cardona, Jakobsson, Lorena Navarro, Samara y Malena Ortiz, Ubogagu, Jessica Martínez, Claudia Florentino, Yohana Gómez, Sara Ezquerro, Sandra Paños, Andrea Pereira, Leila Ouahabi, Jenni Hermoso, Mariona Caldentey, Lieke Martens, Vicky Losada, Oshoala, Crnogorcevic, Laia Codina, Melanie Serrano y Hamraoui.
In total, 29 different faces and 13 starters who are no longer there. Among the figures mentioned there are several of great significance. Like Ivana Andrés, first captain of Real Madrid, leader of the locker room until last summer – she finished her contract and signed for Inter. Or Jenni Hermoso, star of that Barça team and one of the most renowned players in the world. Although their figures are not the only ones that mark the great change in these four years.
It was the Real Madrid of the Swedes Asllani, White’s first ‘galactic’ signing, and Jakobsson. The one that still showed great heritage from the Heel with footballers who had made the leap to First Division such as Lorena Navarro, Samara and Malena Ortiz, Jessica Martínez, Yohana Gómez or Sara Ezquerro. And it was also Barça Vicky Losadahistorical captain who lifted the first Champions League for the culé team, the legendary Melanie Serrano or Sandra Paños and Mariona Caldenteywho said goodbye last summer after making history as Barcelona players.
Their memories shape the first date between the Whites and the Blaugranas. The match ended with a Catalan victory. A 4-0 in which they scored Patri Guijarro, Lieke Martens, Alexia Putellas and Misa, own goal. The Canarian goalkeeper, who continues to be the owner and mistress of the Real Madrid goal, was a heroine despite the goal. He avoided a bigger rout with worthy saves and left the first great details in a season in which he finished as Zamora de Primera.
Alexia Putellas’ harangue: “We eat them with potatoes”
Patri Guijarro, after touching his shot on a white defense, opened the can. And, with his goal, the competitiveness of both teams was unleashed. There was even controversy after a goal against Asllani was disallowed due to a previous foul. It was 1-1. However, Barça was very clear about its game plan. The same one that Alexia Putellas, captain and leader now and then, demonstrated with a speech to remember: “The past does not serve us, what is now serves us. Let’s get off to a good start with them. We are going to go for this League. Come on, we’ll eat them with potatoes“.
The words of the two-time Ballon d’Or winner They were the beginning of a bath of reality that, until today, has been repeated up to fourteen times. With more or less cruelty. With historical quotes, such as the record at the Camp Nou. With more or less tension. This Saturday, in Valdebebas, the Clásico will once again measure the growth of Real Madrid in its race to beat the almighty Barça for the first time.
Undefeated in League F and with great sensations at the start of the season, Alberto Toril’s team wants to show that, this year, their leap is real. Their good numbers – they come from their biggest win in the Champions League – and the star signings that have excited Real Madrid fans (Leupolz, Alba Redondo, María Méndez, Lakrar, Eva Navarro…) They unleash the illusion in the Madrid parish.
For its part, at Barça there will be a debut on the bench. Pere Romeu faces his first Clásico as first coach. In addition to the debut of signings such as Ewa Pajor or Kika Nazaret, the most expensive signing in history in the culé locker room. With the only stain being the defeat against Manchester City at the start of the season, The azulgranas want to continue adding to their record in this match.
They have fourteen out of fourteen possible victories. With a pulse that becomes more intense every day and for which, for the first time, a full house is expected in Valdebebas. Another detail that contrasts with that first date in which, in the midst of COVID-19, there was an uncomfortable silence from the stands. A past that seems distant and in which the ball has left us many moments and an unparalleled evolution in this Classic.
