Tonight at the Estadi Municipal in Badalona, FC Barcelona will begin their Copa de la Reina semifinal clash against the surprise team of the tournament, Badalona Women, starting at 9 p.m. local time with coverage on TV3 and Teledeporte.
Unlike the Liga F, which mandates natural grass pitches, the Copa regulations allow official matches on approved artificial turf. This provides an unusual scenario where Barça, accustomed to natural grass, must adapt their play. They previously triumphed on artificial turf in the Round of 16 against Granada (1-0) and are familiar with the conditions, as they regularly train on similar surfaces. However, Barça faces several significant absences due to injury, including defenders Carla Coll, Mapi León, Aïcha Bonmaï, and Laia Aleixandri, as well as their goalkeeper, forcing lineup adjustments.
Badalona Women, under coach Marc Ballester, have impressed this season, reaching their first-ever Cup semifinal after eliminating Real Sociedad in the quarterfinals with a late goal in extra time. This newly reformed club (established in 2024 from the historic Levante Las Planas) is eager to challenge one of the competition's most decorated sides.
The second leg will take place on March 18 at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Barcelona’s natural home, where the final spot will be decided. This home return is critical for Barça to capitalize on their advantage and demonstrate their experience.
In summary, the artificial surface and injury setbacks present a tough test for Barcelona in this knockout tie. For fans and observers, this semifinal embodies the unpredictable nature of cup football and the resilience required to secure silverware under challenging circumstances.
