Alexia Putellas overtook Luis Suarez to become the third top scorer in Barça history with 199 goals | Football | Sport
Alexia Putellas never tires of making history. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner scored the final goal against Real Madrid in another Clasico win for Barca. But also a goal that made her the club’s third top scorer with 199 goals, overtaking Luis Suarez and closing in on Cesar Rodriguez (232), although still far behind icon Leo Messi (672). The Barça captain has long put injury behind her, has always been weary of the downturn that marked her career, and is now in a great moment both in football – an undisputed starter in most matches – but also personally. It was his ninth goal of the season, in addition to his five assists. “This is data, this is Alexia’s incredible career and numbers. But the most important thing about this team is that we have a lot of goalscorers,” Pere Romeu said at a press conference. “I don’t think there was a better scenario for scoring that goal. He continues to make history, and we are very happy,” Irene Paredes said after the game.
Patri Guijarro joined the defense: “This is a great day for her and for us. When we walked in, we sang it to them. I’m very happy for her.” It was when Alexia left the field that she handed over the captain’s armband to Patry – MVP of the match – to the player who had to take her position when the former was injured two seasons ago. Mallorca, as usual, has grown in the face of adversity. In a classic match, he showed that, in addition to his defensive abilities, decisions on the ball and genius for occupying ideal spaces, he has a knack for scoring. They had already done so against Wolfsburg in the Champions League final in Eindhoven when they equalized with two goals to come back to claim a second continental trophy. At Valdebebas, Patri opened the scoring three minutes after the start and scored the second goal after a Barcelona error in front of goal. “Very glad. At the end of the day, scoring first is always difficult, especially how quickly we did it, away from home and against Real Madrid. I’m also happy for the three points and for the team’s performance,” Patri shared after the match. Pere Romeu did not hesitate to praise her: “Patri is at a very good level. She is a very hardworking and demanding player. We hope this will continue over time.”
Mallorca again appeared in the starting line-up. He has beaten Keira Walsh as a supporting player this season. The Englishwoman asked to leave last summer but the club kept her in the belief she would be needed this season. Despite the level he showed in his career, Pere Romeu saw off Walsh in the most important matches, betting on Patry, accompanied by Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati. Although the new manager tried using a four in midfield at the start of the season, he abandoned the idea as the game progressed, especially after the defeat to Manchester City. Against Madrid, with the match all but over, he repeated the effort in the second half, replacing Claudia Pina with Walsh.
It was the Catalan forward who scored the third goal. Pina, in a great moment, is infallible in the classics: Real Madrid is his fetish rival, the team against which he scored five goals during his Barça career. That’s why he didn’t stop kissing the shield repeatedly after he found his target. “I leave with the feeling that there could be a lot more of us than three,” Pina assured in the middle part of the rights telecast.
“We came into the game very well, scoring an early goal. We could have scored six in the first half. In the second they became closer. But the result is fair,” added Irene Paredes. A sensation shared by Pere Romeu: “We did a good job, scoring five goals.” A rout for Barça that only goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez could have avoided, and the whole match was great. “We have to be firmer, more decisive and not leave so much space. We knew the difficulty of the game and what it entailed. We missed very early and it punished us. We are going to continue to work so that success comes,” Maria Mendez shared after the meeting.
Once again, despite an obvious step forward from Real Madrid, Barcelona firmly imposed their position. “I think Real Madrid have strengthened this summer. This is a good Madrid, who are doing well, who are going to leave few points behind and are improving their game. But we played such a good first half that it determined the line of play,” said Romeu. “There was talk about whether they would beat us, they played a very good game. “We shouldn’t underestimate what kind of team this is, but we should appreciate what we do,” concluded Paredes.