
<p>As part of their sponsorship agreement, Barca and Spotify will once again swap out the Spotify logo. In its place will be the logo of a famous band.</p>



<p>The Rolling Stones will join last season’s guests, Drake and Rosala, on the front of the Blaugrana jerseys.</p>



<p><a href="https://twitter.com/EsportsRAC1/status/1701719009761063137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RAC1</a> says Xavi’s side will wear the unique design in the upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid.</p>



<h2>Barca to wear ‘Rolling Stones’ shirt in El Clasico as part of Spotify partnership</h2>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a>‘s shirt sponsors <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5XNUsFKsbhkQcdIhYn5PhV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify</a> have arranged for the team to wear jerseys with unique logos.</p>



<p>The Blaugrana have previously worn the shirt with Drake’s OVO emblem for the first El Clasico of the 2022-23 season.</p>



<p>A special edition kit with the logo of Spanish singer and songwriter Rosala’s album Motomami was released in March. There were also limited-edition kits with the artists’ logos produced, although they cost more for fans.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 Barcelona will play the next Clasico with the Rolling Stones logo on its shirt as part of their sponsorship deal with Spotify. 🎸<br><br>The match, scheduled for October 29, will take place a few days after the release of the British band&apos;s new album. 🎵 <br><br>(📸 <a href="https://twitter.com/Footy_Headlines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Footy_Headlines</a>) <a href="https://t.co/aVfzpqqBmZ">pic.twitter.com/aVfzpqqBmZ</a></p>— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/1701818827716100172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>For the next Clasico in October, the La Liga champions will wear a special edition jersey with a logo honoring the renowned British band The Rolling Stones. </p>



<p>The next Rolling Stones album, Hackneys Diamonds, will be released worldwide on October 20, a week before the El Clasico. The Catalan team, together with Spotify, have allegedly their sights set on cashing in on this trend.</p>



<h2>Spotify will announce deal soon</h2>



<p>Even though Mick Jagger (80) and Keith Richards (79) are getting on in years, the Rolling Stones are still one of the best-selling bands of all time and continue to tour to this day.</p>



<p>Their emblem, which features a crimson tongue protruding from a pair of lips, has also become ubiquitous in pop culture. The report adds that Barcelona are very close to finalizing the arrangement before making an official announcement.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto</p>


Barca's newest Spotify-affiliated musician to appear on jersey

As part of their collaboration with Spotify, Barca will be featuring a new artist on their jerseys for the Clasico


<p>A bright future awaits Barcelona after they agreed to sign both Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde to contracts with a release clause.</p>



<p>The Blaugrana clearly have complete trust in them. This season’s crop of young Spaniards who have been turning heads on the pitch seem to have a bright future at Camp Nou.</p>



<p>At 16 years and 57 days old, Yamal has just made his Spain debut in the Euro 2024 qualification, becoming the youngest player in the country’s history in the process. </p>



<p>His current teammate on the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barca</a> squad, Gavi, established the record in 2021 at the age of 17 years and 62 days.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, Balde is rapidly progressing under <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-exactly-is-barcelona-buying-new-players-20230902-WST-453621.html">Xavi Hernandez</a>, where the young prodigy’s talents have made an unforgettable mark despite his tender years. His latest Golden Boy nomination, with Gavi and Yamal, is a testament to his promising future.</p>



<h2>Barcelona to sign Yamal and Balde to long-term deals with a release clause</h2>



<p>When they return from representing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/spain-national-team-tv-schedule/">Spain</a> in international competition, the two will allegedly sign new contracts with Barcelona. Both are now on the road with Luis de la Fuente’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">Euro 2024 qualifying</a> side, playing against Cyprus and Georgia.</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/fc-barcelona/20230904/9204510/lamine-yamal-balde-firmaran-renovaciones-barca-paron-internacional.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Vanguardia</a>, upon their return, the pair will sign new contracts to ensure their continued success. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alejandro Balde comments on Lamine Yamal&apos;s latest IG post: "You give him his first goal and he doesn&apos;t even tag you… Nico Williams."<br><br>Nico William replies: "He doesn&apos;t respect his father." <a href="https://t.co/n5g3IjkAGC">pic.twitter.com/n5g3IjkAGC</a></p>— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarcaUniversal/status/1700535297828614576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Lamine Yamal’s contract will last until 2026, while that of Balde’s will extend until 2028. A three-year deal is the most that Barcelona can give him because of his age.</p>



<p>Both new contracts are set to feature buyout provisions valued at more than&nbsp;$1 billion to deter prospective suitors. Barca has reportedly been waiting for some time for the contracts to be finalized. This is because they needed to make room in their Financial Fair Play (FFP) budget.</p>



<h2>How have the duo been doing this season?</h2>



<p>As a result of his hard work and improvement, Lamine Yamal will sign his first professional contract. The teenager is presently a member of Xavi’s first-team squad and has been doing well.</p>



<p>Balde, who has established himself as the starting left defender, has also been rewarded with a contract extension. The Spanish international will wear Pique’s old No. 3 jersey this year.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</p>


Bright future: Barcelona to tie two rising stars to $1bn release clause

Two young talents at Barcelona will soon be locked into long-term contracts with a $1 billion buyout clause


<p>The draw for the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League was held last Thursday in Monaco. After that, clubs finalized their squads for the biggest club competition. </p>



<p>Thanks to some <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-exactly-is-barcelona-buying-new-players-20230902-WST-453621.html">shrewd financial maneuvering</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> signed a few new players by Deadline Day. In preparation for this year’s UCL group stage, they have finally announced their roster.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/joao-felix-takes-massive-pay-cut-in-desperate-barcelona-move-20230905-WST-454193.html">Joao Felix</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-agrees-deal-with-joao-felix-one-more-player-to-follow-20230901-WST-453569.html">Joao Cancelo</a>, two recent additions to the team, head the list the club posted on their website. On the other hand, many people seem to be interested in the young American goalie for Barcelona, Diego Kochen.</p>



<h2>Diego Kochen can learn behind Barcelona star Ter Stegen</h2>



<p>The new UEFA Champions League group stage kicks off on Sep. 19. The 17-year-old talent may soon become a name to watch in Europe’s top club tournament. Kochen will serve as the third-string goalkeeper behind Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Inaki Pena. Barring a major change, Diego Kochen will be on the bench for Barcelona’s games against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/uefa-champions-league-group-stage-draw-brings-mega-clashes-20230831-WST-453237.html">Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp</a>.</p>



<p>After being called up to the first squad for the first time in the spring, Kochen participated in a training session when striker Robert Lewandowski scored a goal against him. While Xavi’s unbeaten La Liga squad has only played four games so far, he has been listed on the substitutes’ bench for three of them.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ADRIAN GILL, 🇺🇸 youth player, has been training with BARCELONA&apos;s 1st team. Standard for youngsters to make up numbers during international break, but still a cool experience for Denver-born 17yo. Also this week, 17yo 🇺🇸 GK DIEGO KOCHEN was named on Barca&apos;s UCL roster. 🔴🔵 <a href="https://t.co/vs2Fmmb9ll">pic.twitter.com/vs2Fmmb9ll</a></p>— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/MenInBlazers/status/1699794548216799335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Who is this new USMNT goalkeeper?</h5>



<p>Kochen has only played in five of the Under-17 team’s eight potential matches. Still, he is one of the brightest talents in American soccer. He earned a nomination for the 2022 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year award.</p>



<p>Kochen was born in Miami on March 19, 2006. As per the Catalan newspaper <a href="https://www.sport.es/en/news/futbol-base/who-is-diego-kochen-the-usmnt-goalkeeper-training-with-barca-b-13308441" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SPORT</a>, he has been a shot-stopper ever since he was eight years old and had to step in for an ailing teammate.</p>



<p>His quickness, reflexes, and technical conceptions shone out when he was playing for Tecnofutbol in Catalonia. Then, Barcelona recruited him in 2019. Despite having a Peruvian mother and a Venezuelan father, Kochen has been active in youth-level <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USA</a> teams.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto</em></p>


Barcelona include US rising star in Champions League roster

Barcelona placed 17-year-old Diego Kochen in their roster for the UEFA Champions League group stage, making him a player to keep an eye on.


<p>Spanish giants <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">FC Barcelona</a> returned to America this summer, taking part in the Soccer Champions Tour as a headlining participant. And as usual, the legendary Catalan club was very effective at getting fans through the gates. FC Barcelona pulled some of the largest crowds for soccer in the USA to date in 2023.</p>



<p>Originally the club was scheduled for four matches in the Soccer Champions tour, but an outbreak of illness in the Barça camp forced the cancellation of their first game versus Juventus. That match was supposed to be played in Santa Clara, CA, but was not rescheduled.</p>



<h4>FC Barcelona attendance this summer</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table><tbody><tr><td>Game</td><td>Attendance</td><td>Venue</td><td>Capacity</td></tr><tr><td>7/26 vs Arsenal</td><td>70,223</td><td>SoFi Stadium</td><td>70,240</td></tr><tr><td>7/29 vs Real Madrid</td><td>82,026</td><td>AT&amp;T Stadium</td><td>80,000</td></tr><tr><td>8/1 vs AC Milan</td><td>38,986</td><td>Allegiant Stadium</td><td>61,000</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>Barcelona was able to fill stadium capacity at a 89% average across the three games, boosted by better-than-a-sellout turnout for the El Clásico vs Real Madrid in Dallas.</p>



<p>The opener against Arsenal at the LA Rams and Chargers spacious NFL palace also was a packed house, filling 99.98% of the seats.</p>



<p>Overall, crowds for Barcelona in the USA this year averaged 63,745 fans.</p>



<h5>Watch FC Barcelona on ESPN+</h5>



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<p>The only head-scratcher in the bunch was in Las Vegas, where they took on AC Milan. The <em>Rossoneri </em>are certainly no slouches, but Barça is usually a draw on their own. Perhaps sports burnout has hit Sin City, after the Golden Knights played deep into the summer winning the Stanley Cup. The CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal, between Jamaica and Mexico in the same venue only a few weeks prior, drew only 29,886 fans. </p>



<p>The year 2023 certainly kept up with past Barcelona appearances in the United States, which have been drawing big crowds each summer over the past decade+. Tune up matches or not, fans don’t seem to care and continue to make it a point to see Barça when they make the rounds.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="ESPN+&apos;s Multicast: How To Use It To Watch Soccer Games Galore" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dLuGcd9_qro?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p><em>Photo: Imago</em></p>


Spanish giants FC Barcelona returned to the USA this summer, taking part in the Soccer Champions Tour and drawing big crowds.

Barcelona pulls in big crowds across the USA - World Soccer Talk

Barcelona pulls in big crowds across the USA


<p>The year 2023 saw yet another spin on the American summer soccer friendly, as the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/podcast/soccer-champions-tour-invades-america-this-summer-20230512-WST-432695.html">Soccer Champions Tour</a> debuted. The event featured six clubs playing at eight venues in six markets across the country. Some massive clubs took part, but did the fans turn out? Here’s a look at the attendance for the Soccer Champions Tour.</p>



<h4>Bringing out the big guns</h4>



<p>Unlike the Premier League Summer Series, which ran concurrently and only featured one “big” team, the <a href="https://www.soccerchampionstour.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soccer Champions Tour</a> pulled out all the stops by featuring six huge names from the top European leagues.</p>



<p>FC Barcelona and Real Madrid from LaLiga, Manchester United and Arsenal from the Premier League, and AC Milan and Juventus from Serie A were the participants. Indeed, that’s a stellar lineup.</p>



<p>Games were scheduled for the Los Angeles area, Santa Clara (near San Jose), Las Vegas, Arlington (Dallas), Houston and Orlando. Every match, save for one staged at the LA Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park, was held in a 60,000+ capacity venue – and they needed the seats.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-decide-fate-of-arsenal-clash-after-virus-outbreak-20230723-WST-444871.html">illness made the rounds in the Barça camp</a>, and the first game versus Juventus at the San Francisco 49ers Levis Stadium was cancelled. But the other seven games went on as planned and played to mostly huge crowds.</p>



<h5>2023 Soccer Champions Tour attendance</h5>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>Game</td><td>Venue</td><td>Attendance</td></tr><tr><td>7/22/23</td><td>Barcelona vs Juventus</td><td>Levis Stadium</td><td>CANCELLED</td></tr><tr><td>7/23/23</td><td>Real Madrid vs AC Milan</td><td>Rose Bowl</td><td>70,814</td></tr><tr><td>7/26/23</td><td>Arsenal vs Barcelona</td><td>SoFi Stadium</td><td>70,223</td></tr><tr><td>7/26/23</td><td>Real Madrid vs Man United</td><td>NRG Stadium</td><td>67,801</td></tr><tr><td>7/27/23</td><td>Juventus vs AC Milan</td><td>Dignity Health Sports Park</td><td>18,746</td></tr><tr><td>7/29/23</td><td>Barcelona vs Real Madrid</td><td>AT&amp;T Stadium</td><td>82,026</td></tr><tr><td>8/1/23</td><td>AC Milan vs Barcelona</td><td>Allegiant Stadium</td><td>38,986</td></tr><tr><td>8/2/23</td><td>Juventus vs Real Madrid</td><td>Camping World Stadium</td><td>63,503</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>The total average for the slate of games ended up at 58,871. That comes out ahead of the Premier League Summer Series, which pulled in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/premier-league-summer-series-averaged-44k-fans-per-game-20230731-WST-446640.html">44,147 per match</a>.</p>



<p>Of all the games, really, you could say only the Italian derby between Juventus and AC Milan in Carson disappointed. It filled only about 70% of the 27,000 seat MLS venue. Milan against Barcelona in Las Vegas was slightly on the low side as well, drawing only 38,986. But that’s only bad compared to the rest of the games.</p>



<p>Unsurprisingly, the El Clásico clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Dallas Cowboy’s colossal stadium topped them all, drawing just over 82,000 fans. It was the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-and-real-madrid-el-clasico-breaks-record-20230730-WST-446541.html">most-attended El Clasico in the United States</a>, and a record soccer crowd at AT&amp;T Stadium. Three of the games were effectively sellouts, packing big stadiums in Dallas, LA and Orlando. </p>



<p>If you weren’t convinced already, the 2023 Soccer Champions Tour leaves little doubt that the appetite for big-time soccer in the USA is immense. <br><br><em>Photo: Imago</em>.</p>


It brought six massive clubs to cities across the USA, but how was attendance for the Soccer Champions Tour?

Soccer Champions Tour delivers record crowds across US - World Soccer Talk

Soccer Champions Tour delivers record crowds across US

featured


<p>Barcelona managed to secure financing of roughly $1.5 billion to update Camp Nou over the next couple of years. Even though developments to the historic stadium are already underway, funding was always an issue. After all, Barcelona estimates the cost of the renovations to be <a href="https://frontofficesports.com/barcelona-given-966m-budget-to-renovate-camp-nou/#:~:text=The%20venue%20has%20been%20Barcelona&apos;s,be%20completed%20by%20June%202026." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">just shy of $1 billion</a>.</p>



<p>Barcelona released a statement that over 20 investors are part of the stadium financing for Camp Nou’s renovations. That includes globally powerful economic agencies like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and JLL. Barcelona will repay the installments in progressively larger sums. Payments are due after five, seven, nine, 20 and 24 years. Therefore, Barcelona will be paying for its stadium and the surrounding improvements as we approach 2050.</p>



<p>Granted, the stadium should be complete before then. While further revelations over the future of the operation are coming soon, Barcelona did release a plan on the future of the stadium, the centerpiece of the entire operation known as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/winning-bid-for-barcelonas-new-camp-nou-announced-20160309-CMS-165700.html">Espai Barca</a>. The club estimates the completion of the stadium in 2026. Barcelona’s construction already removed a portion of the upper tier, which is getting a completed bowl as part of the renovations. The club will soon <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barca-to-play-away-from-camp-nou-in-2023-24-due-to-renovation-work-20220428-CMS-381823.html">play away from Camp Nou</a> as the renovations get more active.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The NEW CAMP NOU (OFFICIAL)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MpjUIFBowIM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>The plan remains for the stadium to finance itself, in a way. The club signed a four-year naming rights deal and sponsorship with Spotify for <a href="https://frontofficesports.com/fc-barcelona-secures-306m-deal-with-spotify/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$300 million</a>. Also, the development of luxury suites in the stadium for corporate sponsors will bring in increased funding. At the same time, FCB is developing the surrounding areas of the stadium, and providing a members’ building on site.</p>



<h2>Barcelona stadium financing is major for <em>Espai Barca</em></h2>



<p>Espai Barca is the overall project. The revamp of the area, headlined by the renovated and remastered Camp Nou, is supposed to bring Barcelona back on level terms with other major European clubs. Real Madrid took a similar position, as it continues to develop the Santiago Bernabeu after playing away from its home stadium for over a year.</p>



<p>Even though the project is expensive, Barcelona sees it as a way to recover from its economic disaster of years prior. After <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelonas-1-5-billion-debt-how-a-mega-club-fell-into-a-financial-black-hole-and-lost-its-star-20210818-CMS-342353.html">sitting billions in debt</a>, the club can make money off increased ticket revenues and the offerings via the hotel, skating rink and stadium merchandise and sales.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Bildbyran</em></p>


Barcelona secured the financing it needs to continue with its long-term goal of revamping Camp Nou into a modern stadium.

Money-burdened Barcelona secures stadium financing


<p>Throughout most of women’s soccer history, and through today, many teams are not professional. Players earned less money, had worse facilities, and it was harder to grow their division without huge financial backing. England, the Netherlands and France are all examples of leagues that professionalized early. Consequently, these three countries are bearing national team success. They also have teams that regularly dominate in continental competition.</p>



<p>On the other hand, Spain did not professionalize early. Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and the Barcelona women’s team struggled abroad. </p>



<p>Barcelona had modest success before they professionalized as a women’s team. The club built a foundation and identity in its women’s brand. It took until 2015 for FC Barcelona to officially professionalize the women’s team, FCB Femení. The result was two Primera Divisions and four Copa de la Reinas in the six seasons since professionalizing. More impressively, the foundation created one of the most dominant teams in both Spain and Europe. </p>



<h5>Landing the big names</h5>



<p>They began signing some big names like Lieke Martens and Élise Bussaglia. The club continued to challenge for league titles. But, Atletico Madrid had Barcelona beat, winning three-straight top-flight titles. </p>



<p>Still, Barcelona was a way off from truly challenging in the Women’s Champions League. It reached the semifinals in the 2016/17 season. Yet, Barcelona was no match for a powerful PSG outfit. Two years later, in the 2018/19 campaign, Barcelona got to its first Women’s Champions League Final. Again, a French side was too powerful, as Lyon defeated Barcelona, 4-1. Two seasons after that, the major signings for the Barcelona’s women’s side ran rampant.</p>



<p>The 2020-21 UEFA Champions League was a great time for Barcelona. It defeated Manchester City after breezing through easier competition. In the semifinal, Barcelona got revenge on PSG, narrowly defeating the Parisians 3-2 on aggregate. It set up a Final against Chelsea, another one of the consistent performers in the Women’s Champions League. Moreover, Chelsea was in the middle of a stretch of six Women’s Super League titles in an eight-year stretch.</p>



<p>From the start, Barca dominated Chelsea. First came a Melanie Leupolz own-goal, and from then on, Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí and Caroline Graham Hansen contributed. Inside 36 minutes, Barcelona had a four-goal lead. It was a comprehensive takedown of a powerhouse. Significantly, it was a turning point in Barcelona’s history.</p>



<p>Putellas, arguably the greatest to do it in women’s football, led an exciting core of stars. It includes Jennifer Hermoso, Lieke Martens, Sandra Panos and Asisat Oshoala.</p>



<h2>Barcelona women’s team borders on perfection</h2>



<p>With its star players, elite coach and good resources at its feet, you would expect Barcelona to win, win and win some more. And that’s exactly what they have done in recent years. In the past three years, Barcelona has picked up three Liga F titles, three Copa de la Reina titles, three Supercopa de Espanas, and a Women’s Champions League title. They have built an indestructible and perhaps unmatchable dynasty that may not be knocked off until Putellas and Oshoala leave or retire.</p>



<p>The immortal 2021/22 season was a marker in Barcelona’s success. It rolled its way to a perfect Liga F season. In total, Barcelona scored 156 goals and only gave up 11. The first loss of the season came on the road at Wolfsburg in the Women’s Champions League semifinal. Of course, Barcelona still advanced, 5-3 on aggregate. The club’s painful 3-1 loss against Lyon in the Women’s Champions League was a cruel ending to a nearly perfect campaign.</p>



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<p>Barca wowed <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/quadruple-chasing-barca-face-wolfsburg-at-sold-out-camp-nou-20220421-CMS-380955.html">record audiences</a> with tempo and optimistic football that sought to win through its impressive offense. Although it’s easy to win when you can outspend your opponents. That is what Barcelona did when it bought former Manchester City midfielder Keira Walsh. Regardless of spending, the team thoroughly outplayed each opponent.</p>



<h5>How Barcelona gets it done</h5>



<p>The club mainly relies on its wingers to either beat their defenders and suck in the defense toward them to create chances, or to overload the flanks to create space for the starting striker, which is one of Oshoala or Brazilian Geyse. Barca can boast phenomenal dribblers in Graham Hansen, who has eight goals and five assists in 14 total games. Then, teenager Salma Paralluelo notched eleven goals and four assists in 21 total games. Finally, Ana-Maria Crnogorčević picked up nine goals and seven assists in 31 total games.</p>



<p>Compare the Barcelona women’s system to the City system. Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez feed balls to either Erling Haaland or Julian Alvarez. Manager Jonatan Giráldez has also made use of Barcelona’s solid midfield duo of Putellas and Bonmatí. Their emphasis around the midfield and wings lets them dominate possession, get shots off and score goals at ease.</p>



<p>They are not as utterly dominant as they were in years past. They lost Hermoso to Pachuca, Martens to PSG and Leila Ouahabi to Manchester City. Past stars like Kheira Hamraoui, Vicky Losada and more have all left. Yet, the team keeps adding more stars.</p>



<p>Geyse tied with Oshoala for the Golden Boot last season. Her arrival at Barcelona coincided with the arrivals of both Lucy Bronze and Walsh from Manchester City. Putellas suffered from an ACL injury for the past nine months. She is slated to return ahead of the Champions League semifinal second leg against Chelsea on Thursday. With PSG and Lyon both out of the competition, Barcelona is well in the hunt for its second UWCL title.</p>



<h5>League and cup double loading</h5>



<p>Barcelona is the overwhelming favorite to pick up the Liga F title. With 24 wins in 24 games, they have scored 101 goals while conceding just five. There are just six games remaining in the domestic schedule, and second-place Real Madrid is 13 points adrift.</p>



<p>Barcelona will <a href="https://theathletic.com/4120592/2023/01/24/barcelona-women-copa-de-la-reina/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">not defend their Copa de la Reina title</a> for the fourth-straight time. Barcelona walloped Osasuna, 9-0, but Osasuna advances. Geyse had a red card in her last Copa de la Reina match with Madrid CFF. Despite changing clubs, the suspension carried over. She played, and that disqualified Barcelona.</p>



<p>Barcelona is on the verge of advancing to the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final again. After defeating Chelsea in the first leg of the semifinals, 1-0, Barcelona just needs to see off the Blues to reach a fourth final in five years.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo</em></p>


The Barcelona Women's team is historically dominant. On the verge of a fourth trip to the Champions League Final in five years, here is how.

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