Women's Barça begins its European journey in search of regaining the throne

Giráldez's men debut in the Champions League against Benfica in an undefeated duel

Alexia Putellas will show the fans her second Ballon d'Or

BARCELONA, 18 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The women's FC Barcelona begins this Wednesday its new journey in the Champions League against the Portuguese Benfica, in the first day of the group stage where they will try to get off to a good start on their way to recover their lost crown last year.

Jonatan Giráldez's team was 90 minutes away from being able to retain their European champion title last May, after losing in the final against Olympique de Lyon (1-3). A setback where the French quickly deprived the illusion of the azulgranas in Turin, unable to achieve the title for the second consecutive year.

Now, with the same objective, the Catalan side will face their return to Europe undefeated in the new F League and with their captain, Alexia Putellas, as a brand new Ballon d'Or for the second consecutive year, which confirms them as the great star of world women's football .

The Camp Nou will have to wait to acclaim their flagship, currently recovering from his serious knee injury. Thus, those of Giráldez will make their debut in 'Champions' in her frequent fort and Alexia will display her second award received yesterday.

Although the great reception will come against Bayern Munich and Swedish Rosengard, when the players return to play in the men's first team stadium. A field that gave so many joys last year with two duels in the round of crosses and that represented a historical record of spectators in a women's football match.

Once again, the current champion of the F League will start as one of the great favorites to win the trophy of the highest continental competition. And he will do it without his big star, although with a compact block despite the departures of Jenni Hermoso, Lieke Martens or Leila Ouahabi.

On the other hand, the changes in the squad maintain the illusion between a club that dreams big with the arrival of two continental champions with England, as is the case of experienced defender Lucy Bronze and midfielder Keira Walsh. Full-back Nuria Rábano, the return after loan of Laia Codina and the young Salma Paralluelo have also arrived to strengthen Barça even more, although in the case of the former Villarreal player she is still in the process of recovery.

The azulgrana gear is already working, as it has shown in the league with plenty of victories, which make it the undisputed leader with 16 goals scored and one against. A solvency that they will try to maintain in the 'Champions' against the Portuguese champion.

For its part, Benfica will play the Champions League for the third consecutive year. An adventure this season that already began in the summer by overcoming up to three elimination rounds to reach the group stage.

A high duel between two unbeatable teams to date, where the Portuguese lead the table in the domestic competition by winning comfortably in the three games played.

Benfica's danger passes through the boots of Ana Vitória and Lacasse, the two most dangerous players in the squad led by Filipa Patao. Precisely, the Brazilian attacker has four goals in the three phases played in the Champions League, in addition to being Benfica's top scorer, while the Canadian follows closely with two goals.