Aitana Bonmatí Unavailable:: The Ballon d'Or winner experienced gastroenteritis overnight after traveling with the squad to Granada and will miss Sunday's match.
Other Absences:: Barça are also without the injured Caroline Graham, Kika Nazareth, and Ona Batlle, while goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck was left out due to a technical decision.
Why This Matters:: Aitana's absence is significant as she is a crucial playmaker for Barcelona. Her unavailability forces tactical adjustments and places more responsibility on other midfielders.
Granada's Strong Season:: Granada, currently 5th in Liga F, are considered one of the season's revelations, having performed well against top teams and reached the Copa de la Reina semi-finals.
Barça Seeking Rebound:: After a recent league defeat to Real Madrid, Barcelona aims to return to winning ways in Liga F to maintain their comfortable lead.
FC Barcelona's preparations for their match against Granada at the Nuevo Los Cármenes stadium were disrupted by the last-minute withdrawal of Aitana Bonmatí. The midfielder traveled with the team but suffered from a gastrointestinal issue overnight, leading the club to prioritize her rest and recovery. This adds to a list of absences, including key players like Graham Hansen and Ona Batlle.
Despite these challenges, manager Pere Romeu has named a starting lineup featuring several rotations. Cata Coll remains in goal, supported by a defense including Jana Fernández, Marta Torrejón, Ingrid Engen, and Fridolina Rolfö. The midfield sees Sydney Schertenleib, Alexia Putellas, and Claudia Pina take charge, with an attacking trio of Vicky López, Salma Paralluelo, and Ewa Pajor.
The opponents, Granada, are enjoying a standout season. Positioned 5th in Liga F with 36 points, they have proven competitive against top sides like Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid earlier in the season. Goalkeeper Sandra Estévez, a Granada native, acknowledged Barcelona's quality but emphasized her team's belief in competing against any opponent, highlighting Aitana as the one Barça player she'd ideally remove. Granada features potent attackers like Edna (13 goals) and Laura Pérez (league-leading 9 assists).
While Barcelona secured a dominant 10-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, Granada has significantly improved since then. Playing at home in Los Cármenes for the third time this season provides an extra boost, although they are yet to secure a win there this campaign. This match offers Barça a chance to solidify their league lead before the international break.
Why is Aitana Bonmatí not playing against Granada?
Aitana is suffering from gastroenteritis, which occurred after she traveled with the team to Granada.
Who else is missing for Barcelona?
Caroline Graham, Kika Nazareth, and Ona Batlle are out due to injury, and Ellie Roebuck was not selected for technical reasons.
How is Granada performing this season?
Granada is having a strong season, currently sitting 5th in Liga F and known for competing well against top teams. They are considered a revelation this year.
Barcelona faces a test of squad depth with several key players, including Aitana Bonmatí, unavailable.
Granada poses a significant challenge, aiming to leverage their strong season form and home advantage.
The match is crucial for Barcelona to maintain momentum in Liga F before the international break.
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