Real Madrid Femenino: Player Ratings from the opener against Barcelona

A disheartening 4-0 loss for Real Madrid Femenino against the rivals to begin their footballing journey but a lot of positives to take away from this game.

Real Madrid Femenino have finally begun their journey, albeit in a losing cause, as FC Barcelona Femení thrashed them 4-0 in what was a fairly one-sided game. The margin could have been even bigger had Misa Rodríguez not pulled off some gorgeous saves.

Goals from Patricia Guijarro, Lieke Martens, Alexia Putellas, and an own goal from Babett Peter, ensured that Barcelona cruised to a comfortable victory. Such was the dominance of Barcelona that Real Madrid Femenino were pinned to their own half in a rather intriguing phase in the first half.

Setting a 4-3-3 formation, Real Madrid Femenino struggled to create passing sequences and were sometimes very lethargic. However, that could be attributed to the fact that this was just their second game since returning from the lockdown. The team was let down by poor defending.

Here are the player ratings for Real Madrid Femenino’s first-ever game:

Misa Rodríguez – 7.5:

The 21-year-old couldn’t have performed any better on her debut. What a fantastic performance from Misa. I knew that she was a good player, but I didn’t know she was so good. Her reflexes are outrageous and she was possessed in the first half. She can distribute the ball well too. A big reason why the score was just 4-0.

Kenti Robles – 5.5

Another debutant and she did not fail to impress. A very lively performance in the first half. Very aggressive in defending and set Kosovare Asllani for a goal that was incorrectly ruled out for offside. Good start.

Ivana Andrés – 4.5 

The captain was a pale shadow of the defender that we witnessed at Levante. She struggled to defend against bodies in the box. However, it was the first game and she will come back stronger.

Babett Peter – 4

A nightmarish start to the season for the German. Felt uncomfortable in dealing with the aggressive press of Barcelona’s forwards and responsible for the second goal for the rivals, opening the floodgates in the process.

Marta Corredera – 4

The left-back is naturally a right-back but is known to be comfortable at the left-back. However, she gave the ball away countless times. Did little in attack.

Teresa Abelleira – 4

A poor first impression from the new signing. She lost the ball in dangerous areas in her own half and had a negligible influence on the game.

Maite Oroz – 5.5

A quiet first half but grew into the game as time passed. Showcased her dribbling prowess here and there, but could have done more to force the issue in midfield.

Aurélie Kaci – 5.5

It was a mixed game from the midfielder as she had to both orchestrate attacks and help in defence. She was often the most advanced midfielder and showcased flashes of her tactical brilliance.

Marta Cardona – 6

It was a tale of two halves for the winger. She is very quick and did well to find spaces on the wing. Combined well with Kenti Robles while she was positioned on the right. Should have scored the tap-in after a low cross from Sofia Jakobsson in the 74th minute.

Olga Carmona – 4.5

The left winger seemed lost and couldn’t impose herself in the game. Helped little in attack although she had a couple of good one-twos with Kosovare Asllani. Did little to convince that she should usurp Chioma Ubogagu as the starting left winger.

Kosovare Asllani – 5.5

With two wingers in the XI, Asllani had to play as the striker, and she was not that bad. She combined well with the midfielders and should’ve been given the goal in the first half. Unlucky.

Substitutes

Sofia Jakobsson – 7 

Was brought in around the 70th minute mark and was a menace to the Barcelona defence. Should’ve got an assist and should’ve started too.

Lorena Navarro – N.A.

Was brought on for the last seven minutes of the game and had little time to make any real impact.