After the Clásico is before the Champions League: FC Barcelona's successful week is set to continue on Thursday evening in the premier class duel with SKN St. Pölten. On Saturday, arch-rivals Real Madrid were defeated 4-0 – and Barça would certainly have nothing against a repeat of their 7-0 first-leg triumph over the She-Wolves.
The star ensemble of FC Barcelona is making a guest appearance in Austria.
GEPA pictures
“¡A la derecha! ¡A la izquierda!” Superstar Alexia Putellas directs her teammates to the right and to the left during a warm-up exercise in the final training before the second leg against SKN St. Pölten on Thursday (9 p.m., LIVE! on kicker). Many Blaugrana players are bundled up in the wintry, windy conditions in Vienna's Viola Park. Among them is Aitana Bonmatí. The two-time world footballer shows off her technique and precision in her fast passing game – a touch of Ballon d'Or flair in Favoriten.
Women's Champions League – Matchday 4
It is these idols who attract fans to the stadium in droves. The previous domestic record crowd at women's club level (7,278 in June during Rapid's test match against the U-20 of 1. FC Nürnberg) is likely to be exceeded. “We are very happy that so many Austrian fans are coming, that makes us proud,” said Barcelona coach Pere Romeu, also enthusiastic about the crowds.
Barça is relying on a proven recipe
St. Pölten was able to withstand the Catalan avalanche of attacks for about half an hour on Tuesday a week ago. The Spanish league leaders then struck five times within 13 minutes and added two more goals in the second half. Of course, Barcelona sees no reason to change their approach in the next meeting with the SKN. Striker Ewa Pajor also confirmed this when asked by kicker: “We want to play in the same way. The first few minutes weren't easy, St. Pölten did well. But after 30 minutes we played very well, we want to do the same tomorrow We get three points.”
It will once again be important not to be disturbed by deep opponents: “We all have to keep moving, we have to make the right runs and be patient,” continued the Polish international. In the icy cold, goal fireworks are to be set off again in the Austrian capital. Pajor, who scored the opening goal last week, gives an insight into the philosophy of the Champions League winners: “As Barcelona, we want to score as many goals as possible, even in the 90th minute.”
“The Queen” Alexia Putellas vor dem 200. Treffer
Alexia Putellas could also be helpful in this mission. Aitana Bonmatí's Ballon d'Or predecessor currently has 199 goals for her club. Of all players who have ever worn the blue and red jersey, this means third place in the all-time best list. At the top is – unsurprisingly and uncatchable – Lionel Messi (672). Luis Suárez (198) was pushed off the podium by the captain's goal in the Clásico against Real Madrid at the weekend (4-0).
Second place with 232 goals still seems possible given an ideal career progression for the 30-year-old Putellas, who is called “La Reina” or “The Queen” by fans. This is currently occupied by César Rodríguez, who was active for Barça in the 1940s and 1950s. The reigning world champion's short-term goal will probably be to break the 200 mark. “We want Alexia to do that tomorrow,” said teammate Pajor on the eve of the game against St. Pölten.
Seeing a star ensemble like that of FC Barcelona play in Austria certainly doesn't happen every day. At least part of the Spanish success machine will soon return to Vienna: Ewa Pajor will be back in Viola Park with the Polish national team on December 3rd. Even in the European Championship qualifying play-off second leg against Austria, the attacker's hunger for goals will probably not be satisfied – regardless of the result against SKN.
