This season, Barcelona was forced to look to its youth academy. The seven summer departures, the short squad, and injuries predicted a more complicated season, and the environment was plunged into doubt. “Everyone will have their opinion. The only thing I can say is that we have never doubted ourselves, the players we are, those who have formed this squad this year, those who have moved up to the first team… All the noise that comes from outside… in the end, it’s just noise,” said Alexia Putellas after winning Barça’s eleventh league title this Wednesday at Espanyol’s ground, speaking to Esport3.
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The opposite happened to the team. Far from falling, it was revitalized with the youngest players: Clara Serrajordi, Aïcha Camara, and Sydney Schertenleib accumulated minutes and minutes, establishing themselves more than once in demanding starting lineups. Others, like Vicky López, who had already stood out previously, definitively consolidated her position, especially in the absence of the injured Aitana Bonmatí. And the team, far from deteriorating, found another version of itself. “Whoever plays, Barcelona maintains a very strong identity,” claimed coach Pere Romeu. In total, 27 different players have been fielded this season. “There are many high-level young footballers, but what really makes the difference is the personality with which they do things. Not only are they good footballers, but they also have a lot of personality. I take my hat off to the players,” he added.
And on Espanyol’s pitch, most of them were young. “Today we fielded a lineup with many young players, and we had a first half with great control in midfield,” explained Romeu. One of them, Serrajordi. “It’s inexplicable. I am very grateful for the minutes and the trust,” confessed the midfielder.
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With them, they managed to achieve their seventh consecutive title in conjunction with the veterans. “I’m super happy to be part of this winning cycle, to contribute my grain of sand,” Alexia shared. “We value it a lot; what we are achieving is not easy. I was just telling Serra[jordi] that in the first few years, we didn’t win leagues. It seems to be taken for granted that Barça will win, but it’s very difficult to stay there every year,” explained Patri Guijarro. But for now, the hegemony endures. “It’s about investing economically, which is what makes a difference, and not everyone can do it. Teams like Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid are the ones that have to cast a shadow. Hopefully, soon the league will be more competitive,” reflected Sara Monforte on how to break this dominance.
Beyond the celebrations, Barcelona already has its next objective in mind. “The league is the title of consistency; the Champions League is the goal,” Alexia assured. This Saturday, the players will face Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Pere Romeu does not deviate and already has a clear work plan for Thursday: “Tomorrow we wake up and put on a video session to introduce Bayern.”
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