FC Barcelona will host SD Eibar on Saturday at 18:30 at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in the match corresponding to matchday 20 of Liga F. Goalkeeper Cata Coll underwent surgery yesterday and will be sidelined for about a month, so she is unavailable. Captain Alexia Putellas has returned to the squad after missing the previous match because of a contusion to the left quadriceps. The game will be broadcast live on DAZN and Movistar+ Ellas Vamos (channel 66).
Barça arrive as solitary leaders of the domestic competition, ten points clear of second‑placed Real Madrid after their 0–3 victory over DUX Logroño in the last round. In addition to Alexia, María Torrejón and Irene Paredes are back after being absent for personal reasons in the previous fixture. The squad still suffers important absences: Laia Aleixandri is out after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in her right knee during the Copa de la Reina quarterfinals.
Because of multiple injuries and absences, coach Pere Romeu has leaned throughout the season on a mix of established players and younger talents, giving the latter significant minutes so the team can maintain a high competitive level despite forced rotations and losses.
Eibar, coached by Iñaki Goikoetxea, travel to Barcelona after four consecutive league defeats and with a very different objective from the hosts: survival. The side occupies the lower part of the table but remains outside the relegation zone; each match is crucial in their fight to stay in the top flight.
Eibar’s season has been uneven, with difficulties in collecting points consistently, although on several occasions the team has shown character and resistance against stronger opponents. Against Barça, their best chance will be to minimize mistakes and resist as long as possible against the usual possession dominance of the Catalans.
Probable lineups:
FC Barcelona — Gemma; Aïcha, María, Paredes, Brugés; Vicky, Patri, Alexia; Graham, Pajor, Pina. Coach: Pere Romeu.
SD Eibar — Astralaga; Camino, Pachu, Maseguer, Alimaa, Facila; Marín, Arene, Rico, Moreno; Tukumbuke. Coach: Iñaki Goikoetxea.
Referee: Andrea Fírvida Fernández (Com. aragonés). Stadium: Johan Cruyff. Kick‑off: 18:30 (DAZN, Movistar+).
Recent meetings between the two sides favor the hosts, who have clearly dominated recent encounters through technical and tactical superiority. Still, Barça cannot relax: maintaining the pace at the top requires consistent intensity every matchday.
Pere Romeu said the team arrived in good condition after solid training and expects a strong performance and a positive outcome. He described Eibar as a direct team that often reaches the opponent’s area with few passes and defends in a low 5‑4‑1 block, with frequent forays forward; if Barça are well organized, they can exploit spaces. He also expressed pride in giving academy youngsters playing opportunities, stressing it is the result of work rather than a gift.
