It’s hardly fair to pit any team in Spain against Barcelona Femeni these days. It has been years since their last league defeat, and their dominance is evident not just in gameplay but in mindset. The fear factor sets in, and most opponents capitulate mentally, fully aware that no matter what they do, victory is almost impossible.
Even for Real Madrid Femenino, supposedly Spain’s second-best team, a matchup against Barça is the most dreaded fixture on the calendar. It humbles them and starkly reminds them of the significant gulf in quality compared to the eight-time Liga F champions.
🏁 @RealMadridFem 0-4 @FCBfemeni
⚽ 4′ Patri
⚽ 22′ Patri
⚽ 39′ Pina
⚽ 86′ Alexia#LigaF | @Emirates | #FlyBetter pic.twitter.com/Vj50uhuQzE— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadridfem) November 16, 2024
On Saturday, Barça Femeni traveled to the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano with swagger and brushed aside a disjointed Real Madrid side 4-0. It could have been far worse had Barça been at their clinical best.
From a viewer’s perspective, one thing was painfully clear: Real Madrid played with fear.
Right from kickoff, Barcelona seized control. By the third minute, Patri Guijarro had already put the ball in the back of the net after Madrid failed to defend a corner — an issue that has plagued them throughout this season.
That early goal rattled an already vulnerable Real Madrid team. Players who usually exude confidence, like Caroline Weir and Teresa Abelleira, were shadows of their usual selves, struggling to string passes together.
The extent of Barça’s dominance is best illustrated by the statistics. They held 73% possession, took 20 shots, and completed 754 passes with an 88.5% accuracy rate. In stark contrast, Madrid’s passing accuracy was a woeful 71%—a figure unworthy of top-tier football.
Real Madrid was thoroughly outclassed on all fronts at the Di Stéfano on Saturday. However, it was their midfield’s shocking performance in the first half that truly let them down. While the defense struggled—failing to maintain a cohesive backline and allowing Barcelona’s attackers to dominate the final third—the midfield’s inability to transition play proved even more costly.
Captain Olga Carmona did her best to salvage the situation, expertly defending a one-on-one against Aitana Bonmatí and clearing the ball. Unfortunately, the clearance only reached Patri Guijarro on the edge of the box, where she was left unmarked.
With no one closing her down, Guijarro unleashed a precise low shot into the corner, leaving Misa Rodríguez helpless.
So, why single out the midfield? Because their inability to capitalize on opportunities stifled Real Madrid’s offense. Sitting back against Barcelona is never an option, and it was up to Caroline Weir, Abelleira, and Melanie Leupolz to create transitions and give their forwards the freedom to make attacking runs.
Instead, they succumbed to a relentless Barcelona press, barely holding possession for more than a few seconds as the hungry visitors closed down every opportunity with ruthless efficiency.
In all honesty, no one would have placed Real Madrid as favorites against Barcelona—and yesterday’s performance made it abundantly clear why. Madrid is still relatively new to the top level of the women’s game and hasn’t yet reached the elite status required to challenge a team like Barça.
Tactical inconsistency under manager Alberto Toril remains a glaring issue, starting with his questionable lineup choices. The difference was evident when Eva Navarro, Linda Caicedo, and Signe Brunn came on in the second half. Their presence injected life into Madrid’s attack, creating a few promising moments.
However, by that point, the damage was already done. Claudia Pina, who has made scoring in the Clásico a habit, had extended Barça’s lead to 3-0, effectively sealing the game. Any hopes of salvaging pride were crushed when Alexia Putellas chipped Misa Rodríguez to score the fourth goal, completing Madrid’s humiliation.
— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) November 16, 2024
This game serves as a harsh wake-up call for Real Madrid. While they need tactical adjustments and squad improvements, their biggest challenge lies in overcoming the mental block they face when playing Barcelona. Only then can they hope to bridge the gap.
