Barcelona’s women’s team will play the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on April 25 at the Allianz Arena. Despite their strong form and ambition, the Catalan side will be missing Aitana Bonmatí, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is still recovering from a fractured left fibula.
Aitana sustained the injury in November 2025 and underwent surgery in December. While she has started training with the group, she hasn’t received medical clearance for the match and is not included in the squad for the semi-final. This represents a major loss considering her pivotal role in midfield.
Barcelona is in excellent form—recently securing their seventh consecutive Spanish league title and scoring 32 goals in their last eight games. However, in the Champions League, they face a revitalized Bayern team, who after a heavy 7-1 defeat by Barcelona early in the competition, have since won 25 matches and drawn one in the Bundesliga.
The first leg in Munich will be a stern test, requiring Barcelona to adapt tactically without Aitana and show mental resilience against an ambitious opponent striving for their first-ever Champions League final. Given Aitana’s influence on the team’s play, Barcelona will need to redistribute midfield responsibilities and generate new attacking combinations.
Therefore, Aitana Bonmatí’s absence alters Barcelona’s strategic picture just as every tactical detail becomes critical. Fans should expect changes in the lineup and tactical approach from head coach Pere Romeu and appreciate the team’s efforts under challenging circumstances demanding peak collective performance.
