In Viola Park, a few kilometers from the Vienna Opera, Barcelona once again played its favorite tune: that of victories, and that of victory. Against St. Pölten there was no opposition. The blaugranas dominated comfortably, controlled the tempo and danced with their game, rewarded with a double from Kika Nazareth, a goal from Vicky López and the celebration of Alexia Putellas’ 200th goal as a blaugrana (1-4). Barça, second in the group, three points behind leaders Manchester City, are already savoring, once again, the quarterfinals of the Champions League, virtually classified.
The Barça team landed in Austria in full shape and with self-esteem after the victory against Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid in their respective stadiums. And although they should not let themselves be clouded by the confidence of the rout of St. Pölten at home (7-0), Pere Romeu opted for quite a few, but reliable, rotations, along with some irreplaceable players. Of course, he tried again with four midfielders: Alexia Putellas as a false winger, Vicky López and Patri Guijarro as interior players, and Keira Walsh as a pivot. Compared to them, the Austrians showed up at home with more of their wardrobe: they have gone from the four players on the bench – two goalkeepers – from the last match in Barcelona to seven substitutes.
Even so, the same melody sounded in Austria as in Barcelona. Although with a different and improved tone, with greater comfort for the Blaugrana, also breadth and with goals before time. Graham found his particular spaces between one, two, three players on the right wing. The St. Pölten footballers sank into the area with a defensive block loaded with legs. Until Kika Nazareth, increasingly accustomed to the team and with the false nine position settled, took advantage of a mistake by Dubcová, stole the ball from his feet in the area and defined with power to score the first goal. Shortly after, the second would come: Alexia found Esmee Brugts on the left, accelerated quickly to put a pass to Kika, who turned, and with barely any time to think, scored the second.
With the ban open, the third would arrive after two minutes after a recovery by Vicky López. Patri Guijarro returned the ball to her with a backheel, the young woman became even smaller and slipped through the defense to score her first goal in the European championship with Barça. Later, with Barça at half speed and after a great triangulation and collective play, Alexia, always dangerous inside the area, scored her 200th goal as a Barça player.
St. Pölten wandered between frustrated counterattacks and timid arrivals. But Barça made a mistake in a free kick, with a ball that roamed freely through the area until Mädl pushed to score the first goal for the Austrians, and which left Cata Coll regretting.
Romeu rotated in the final stretch of the match, offering the Champions League debut to 17-year-old Swiss Sydney Schertenleib. And although the game went out with less precision and rhythm for the Blaugranas, they ended up signing a single and a new victory on their way through Europe.
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