FC Barcelona start the league at Johan Cruyff after a short preseason and without the chance to play the Gamper. After a summer marked by the departures of key players, the blaugrana side have shown a great version. Despite the emphatic scoreline, controversy with the new VAR system in Liga F has been present, intervening up to 9 times.
Pere Romeu took the field with a line-up highlighted by the starting role of Clara Serrajordi, who played all 90 minutes. The initial line-up was surprising due to the absence of Patri Guijarro and Clàudia Pina, who ended up scoring a hat-trick after coming off the bench.
A lethal Barça decides the match in 45'
FC Barcelona leave no room for doubt and, despite the summer's difficulties, open the scoring in the 5th minute. Graham finishes a great cross from Mapi León inside the box and makes it 1-0. A few minutes later, it's Aitana's turn, who finishes to an impossible spot for the goalkeeper (2-0).
Ewa Pajor's goal couldn't be missing either, last season's top scorer, who takes advantage of a misunderstanding in the Alavés defense and scores the third goal before the 30th minute. Ona Batlle seals the first-half rout with a powerful and well-placed shot from the edge of the box (4-0).
Debut day
With the match decided, Romeu decides to start giving some players a rest, allowing Laia Aleixandri and Aïcha Cámara to come on. Both footballers, one recently arrived from City and a La Masia youth product, and the other who spent last season with the reserve team. Right after the substitutions, Graham makes it 5-0 thanks to a great assist from Pajor, who left her alone in front of goal.
Half-hour hat-trick from Pina
In the 70th minute, the last 3 reinforcements come onto the field: Vicky López, Kika Nazareth, and Clàudia Pina. The latter only needs 30 minutes to score her own hat-trick and reaffirm the great version we saw last season.
The first came with a great curling shot to the far post thanks to a great pass from Kika. The 7-0 came with a volley after a cross from Ewa Pajor, who once again turned provider. The 8-0 was scored again by Pina with ease after a poor clearance from the goalkeeper in the 99th minute.
The much desired video refereeing system in Liga F has shown a slow and poorly organized version. The main referee went to the VAR screen 9 times (for each of the 8 goals and a possible penalty). Both the home and away teams ended up frustrated by the presence of this new technology.