Barça and Real Madrid Face Off in Copa de la Reina Semifinals

MADRID, Spain — The Copa de la Reina semifinal match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid kicks off today at 7 p.m. at the Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium in Valdebebas, marking the first of three encounters within 17 days.

The upcoming fixtures will include the return match at Johan Cruyff Stadium on Wednesday, March 12, and a league clash at Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc on Sunday, March 23. Barça enters as the clear favorite against their rivals, Real Madrid.

Coach Pere Romeu announced the squad ahead of the team’s travels to Madrid, highlighting the return of key players Alexia Putellas, Fridolina Rolfö, and Kika Nazareth. Putellas has recovered from an ankle sprain that sidelined her for three weeks, while Rolfö returns from knee discomfort. Nazareth, previously diagnosed with a right adductor muscle strain, is also fit to play after a swift recovery.

Real Madrid’s starting lineup features goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez and defenders Antonia, María Méndez, Maëlle Lakrar, and Olga Carmona. The midfield includes Sandie Toletti and Filippa Angeldahl, while forwards Naomie Feller, Caroline Weir, Ainhoa del Castillo, and Signe Bruun are set to lead the attack. Alberto Toril serves as the head coach.

Barcelona fields a formidable squad with Cata Coll in goal and a defensive line of Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Mapi León, and Rolfö. Midfielders Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, and Putellas are joined by forwards Caroline Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor, and Claudia Pina, under Romeu’s leadership.

Referee Marta Huerta de Aza, from the Tenerife committee, will officiate the match.

Barcelona, with ten Copa titles under their belt, aims to secure a position in their 13th final. Currently, they hold a five-point lead over Madrid in Liga F with just ten games remaining in the season.

Romeu expressed his respect for the Madrid team, stating, “We have maximum respect for the rival. Each game is a world of its own. Many players have shared numerous league matches and know each other well individually.”

Despite the absence of Tere Abelleira, who is recovering from a serious knee injury, Real Madrid has experienced a resurgence, winning six consecutive matches since suffering a 5-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa final on January 26.