the return of Vicky Losada, “a month working” to control emotions at Camp Nou

BarcelonaEuropean women’s football has taken a step forward. The new format of the Champions League has given away some high-voltage quarter-finals. In fact, none of the qualifiers are decided. All the first leg matches were settled by the minimum, including Barça-Roma at the Olympic Stadium. Everything will be decided at Camp Nou. The Culer temple will be the scene of a match that will write the name of one of the two teams for the semi-finals. “Being 0-1 gives you the feeling that at any moment the game can go away, and that is the most beautiful thing about football. This means that the teams are more and more prepared to compete among the greats and it is a very positive point for women’s football”, said Sandra Paños in the preview.

“It is very positive that there is equality. It is important for the visibility of women’s football. The most important thing is to give visibility, disputed and beautiful matches, the ones that make you enjoy”, adds the Culer goalkeeper. Not only Roma, but also Chelsea, Wolfsburg and Bayern have managed to stand up to the historic leaders of women’s football, such as Olympique de Lyon and PSG. Everything is yet to be decided, and Barça will also have to sweat to be in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Barça comes with a good dynamic in terms of results. Despite the fact that the match in Rome raised doubts due to the lack of effectiveness and the rush, the Cullers managed to arrive at the Camp Nou with an advantage (0-1). Against Real Madrid on Saturday, the same script was repeated. Barça won by the minimum. “The sensations we have at the level of controlling the game are very good. Sometimes you are more or less right in the last meters, and we must continue along the same lines: create the maximum and without conceding”, affirms Jonatan Giráldez before the match

“We’re at Barça and it’s not just about winning. You have to put on a show because the media focus is on results: you look at how many times the ball goes in. But it’s unfair, because watching the last games against Roma we were infinitely better than the rival and against the Madrid created three times as many chances. We talk about the few goals because it is valued when the goalkeeper collects the ball from the back of the goal and not what is generated. My task is to reduce the euphoria. Never from the result, but from of the management of the match”, adds the coach, who celebrates having the return of Alexia Putellas closer and closer. The captain is still in the final stages of her recovery and is already training with the rest of the squad.

A very special return

The match at Camp Nou will mean a special return. Vicky Losada, who was Barcelona captain and now wears the colors of Roma, is doing a titanic job to isolate the feelings. “I have received many messages and I thank you. I will always be grateful to the Barça fans. I am trying to think only about the football part because I am sure that tomorrow will be an unforgettable match for me”, he said in the preview. “I’ve been working for a month so that the game doesn’t affect me emotionally. I’ve been here for more than ten years and it’s my home. At Barça there are many former teammates who are friends, real friends. I really appreciate everyone’s love” , said Losada. “Sorry if I don’t answer everyone’s messages, but I want to focus on the game and the performance of the team,” she joked, excited.