Barcelona enjoy Champions League quarter-finals after victory over St. Polten | Football | Sport

In Viola Park, a few kilometers from the Vienna Opera, Barcelona again played its favorite melody: the melody of victories, and the melody of victory. There was no resistance against St. Pölten. The Blaugrana dominated with confidence, controlled the tempo and danced with their game, rewarded with a brace from Kiki Nazareth, a goal from Vicky Lopez and the celebration of Alexia Putellas’ 200th goal for the Blaugrana (1-4). Barca, second in the group and three points behind leaders Manchester City, are already enjoying a Champions League quarter-final all but classified again.

The Barça team arrived in Austria in full shape and with a sense of self-respect after defeating Atlético and Real Madrid in their stadiums. And while we shouldn’t let the confidence of St. Pölten’s 7-0 home thrashing overshadow them, Pere Romeu opted for a sizeable but reliable rotation, as well as several irreplaceable players. Of course, he tried again with four midfielders: Alexia Putellas as a false striker, Vicky Lopez and Patri Guijarro as inside players, and Keira Walsh as a pivot. By comparison, the Austrians arrived at home with more to their wardrobe: they went from four players on the bench – two goalkeepers – from the last match in Barcelona to seven substitutes.

Despite this, the same tune sounded in Austria as in Barcelona. Although with a different, improved tone, with more comfort for the Blaugrana, as well as width and goals ahead of time. Graham found his special space between one, two, three players on the right flank. The St. Pölten players fell into the penalty area with the defensive block loaded with legs. Until Kika Nazareth, increasingly accustomed to the team and establishing a position as a false nine, took advantage of Dubtsova’s mistake, stole the ball at his feet in the penalty area and determined with force to score the first goal. The second followed soon after: Alexia found Esme Brugts on the left, quickly accelerated and passed the ball to Kika, who turned and, almost without hesitation, scored the second goal.

If the ban is open, the third one will appear two minutes after Vicky Lopez is restored. Patri Guijarro heeled the ball back to her, the girl became even smaller and slipped through the defense to score her first goal at the European Championships with Barça. Later, with Barça moving at half speed and after some superb triangulation and collective play, Alexia, always dangerous in the box, scored her 200th Barça goal.

St. Pölten wandered between unsuccessful counterattacks and timid attacks. But Barça made a mistake on the free kick: the ball wandered freely around the penalty area until Medl tried to score the Austrians’ first goal, which Kata Koll regretted.

Romeu changed during the final period of the match, offering his debut in the Champions League to 17-year-old Swiss Sidney Schertenleib. Although the game was less precise and rhythmic for the Blaugranas, they ended up with their only victory and another on their way through Europe.