Barcelona and DUX Logroño: A History Forged in Spanish Women's Football
This evening, the Johan Cruyff Stadium will host a new chapter in the rivalry between Barcelona and DUX Logroño. Despite the vast differences in their sporting backgrounds, the two teams share memorable moments in the short history of Spanish women's football, including a dramatic Copa de la Reina final.
A Look Back at the 2021 Copa de la Reina Final
In 2020, as the world grappled with the global pandemic, football offered respite, even if viewed through screens. EDF Logroño, as the club was then known, competed in the Primera División after their historic promotion in 2018. They secured their place in the league and found an unexpected reward in the Copa del Rey tournament.
The team from Logroño advanced through the rounds with courage, reaching an epic semi-final against Athletic Club, decided by a penalty shootout. It was the first time a team from La Rioja had reached this stage. Only captain Lorena Valderas remains from that squad, a living memory of that unforgettable achievement.
Barcelona, already the dominant force in Spanish women's football, defeated Sevilla to reach the final in Málaga. Logroño traveled with the hope of enjoying a historic event, aware that winning the Cup would be a miracle.
The final took place on February 13, 2021, at La Rosaleda. DUX Logroño defended resolutely for 41 minutes until a penalty converted by Alexia Putellas broke the deadlock. Goals from Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso followed. Barça won the title, but the team from La Rioja took home a silver medal and the feeling of having reached the pinnacle.
Barcelona's Dominance and the Challenge for Logroño
Beyond that memorable final, Barcelona and DUX Logroño have met six other times in the league, always with the same outcome: a Barcelona victory. In total, the seven matches have seen 28 goals for Barça and none for the team from La Rioja. This highlights the gap between the two projects but also marks the challenge for Logroño to finally score against the Catalan side.
Regardless of the statistics, the script seems unchangeable when it comes to Barcelona. In this league campaign, they have already scored 16 goals in just two games, confirming that their reign seems infinite.
DUX Logroño, Another 'Rookie' at the Johan Cruyff
FC Barcelona welcomes DUX Logroño to the Estadi Johan Cruyff this Friday. The team from La Rioja managed to draw against Real Madrid in the first matchday, a match disputed in Logroño.
Coach Pere Romeu will still be without Caroline Graham, although she could return next week, and Clara Serrajordi, also injured. The uncertainty lies in the rotations that the Catalan coach may make in the starting eleven.
| Probable Lineups |
|---|
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BARÇA Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Brugts; Aitana, Patri, Alexia; Vicky, Pajor y Pina. Entrenador: Pere Romeu |
|
DUX LOGROÑO Miralles; Leitner, Colomina, Natalia, Castro; Falfán, Isina, Masferrer, Matthews; Asejo y Partido. Entrenador: Héctor Blanco |
| Árbitra: Raquel Suárez González (Com. Cast. leonés) |
The match is played today because the men's team will use the Johan Cruyff Stadium on Sunday. Barça seeks a third victory to consolidate its distance from Real Madrid, which has started the season with one point.
