Barça Women's first European away trip: what to know before Roma
Barcelona's women visit AS Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday, with players back from injury and the U20 World Cup and El Clásico waiting on Sunday.
People searching "Roma vs Barcelona" are most likely looking for the UEFA Women's Champions League match in Rome. AS Roma host FC Barcelona at the Stadio delle Tre Fontane on Wednesday, with kick-off at 6.45pm CEST, on Matchday 2 of the opening phase.
It is Barça's first European away game of the season. They arrive with a perfect start to the campaign, according to the club.
What is at stake
Barcelona coach Pere Romeu's side want to keep their winning run going in a week with two big games. Wednesday's match in Rome is followed on Sunday by El Clásico at Spotify Camp Nou.
Barça's squad was stretched in September by injuries and international call-ups. The club says Romeu had to reshuffle his team and lean on some of the younger players. The results kept coming, but the team is still looking to reach top gear.
Team news
Romeu is finally getting players back:
- Van Asten has been given the medical all-clear.
- Aïcha, Carla Julià, Noa Jiménez and Rosalia are back after winning the U20 World Cup.
- Julia Torres, also at that tournament, has not been included in the squad for Rome.
- Teenage goalscorer Mayssa Baha cannot play in the Champions League until January, when she turns 16.
Julià now has a first-team registration. She said she was happy to have won the title with the national team and "happy to be back and ready to help the team."
A tougher game than the score suggested
Barcelona played in Rome last season and won 4-0. Romeu says that scoreline hides how hard the game was.
"Last year's game was tough, it was difficult," he said. He called Roma "an aggressive side and difficult to play against." He added that teams often change their approach, so Barça will see whether Roma play the same way.
Things have changed at Roma since then. The club appointed a new coach in the summer.
How to follow
The match kicks off at 6.45pm CEST. The sources provided do not list a TV or streaming broadcaster, so check your local Champions League rights holder or the UEFA and club channels. Barcelona travelled with directors Xavi Puig, Àngel Riudalbàs, Xavier Barniol and Jaume Santiveri.
What happens next
Whatever happens in Rome, Barça have little time to recover. They face El Clásico at the Camp Nou on Sunday, which Romeu's side will see as the second of two major tests in five days.
Keep it in Saved stories on this device to read later.
