Barça travels to Bilbao with two important new features in its squad for the first leg of the Queen’s Cup semi-finals. Alexia Putellas and Fridolina Rolfö return after months out due to injury, and could have their first minutes in San Mamés.
Barça announced the Swedish player’s medical discharge this Wednesday morning, returning to a squad for the first time this season after having meniscus surgery in September. In the case of the captain, it is understood that she has already received the discharge when she was called up with the Spanish team for the Nations League final. Despite being on the bench, Alexia did not play any minutes and has been off the pitch since mid-November.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner underwent surgery on her left knee in December and, although Barça preferred that the player stay in Barcelona to finish her recovery, the midfielder decided to attend the Spanish national team’s training camp during this last international break. causing a strong crisis with the Blaugrana club. Alexia did not make the list for the Nations League semi-final match, but Tomé did include her among those chosen for the final, even though she would end up not playing any minutes.
The expedition travels today to Bilbao where tomorrow (7pm) they will face Athletic Club in a San Mamés that hopes to make a good start on a holiday in which the pioneers of women’s football will also be honored, on the eve of International Women’s Day. Women, which is commemorated next Friday, March 8.
In addition to Rolfö and Alexia, the squad of 20 players is completed by two reserve players who are regulars with the first team, Vicky López and Martina Fernández. Giráldez only has two players left in the infirmary, Mapi León and Jana Fernàndez.
The 20 invited: Sandra Paños, Irene Paredes, Claudia Pina, Salma Paralluelo, Marta Torrejón, Mariona Caldentey, Caroline Graham Hansen, Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Cata Coll, Aitana Bonmatí, Lucy Bronze, Fridolina Rolfö, Bruna Vilamala, Keira Walsh, Ona Batlle, Ingrid Engen, Esmee Brugts, Vicky López and Martina Fernández
