Barcelona women’s team continuity after summer departures, Digi Mart USA News: Barcelona’s team is markedly different from the one Arsenal faced in the 2025 Women’s Champions League final, but the challenge is as difficult as ever. Three-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was among a number of high-profile summer departures, yet Barca remain favourites to continue their European domination.
The reigning champions have won all three league-phase matches, scoring 19 goals, and welcome Arsenal to the Nou Camp on Thursday at 17:45 GMT. Two seasons ago, Arsenal stunned Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final, less than five months after Renee Slegers was named permanent manager.
That victory kick-started a new era for the Gunners under Slegers, but it has not gone to plan so far this season. Disappointing results and a five-game winless run, which ended in October, have left Arsenal sixth in the Women’s Super League.
However, the Gunners have started the European campaign well and are fifth in the table with seven points from their first three matches.
Given Barcelona’s summer changes, Arsenal might have hoped to face a team in transition, but the Spanish giants look as strong as ever. Barca, who have won four of the past six Women’s Champions League titles, have hit the ground running despite losing some key players.
Putellas left in the summer to join London City Lionesses, which felt like the end of an era. Defender Mapi Leon followed her to Bromley, full-back Ona Batlle joined Arsenal, and Salma Paralluelo swapped Barcelona for European rivals Lyon.
All four had played a key part in Barcelona’s dominance and ended their time at the club with a historic quadruple, including a fourth Champions League last season.
Midfielder Esmee Brugts, who has made more than 100 appearances since joining in 2023, said: “Every season is different. There are always changes but we know that’s football.
There’s an opportunity to make a new story and that’s up to us. So far, I’ve been quite happy with how it’s going.”
Barcelona’s success is down to multiple factors, but it centres on a distinctive playing identity ingrained in Spanish footballers from a young age. Stars such as three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati were developed at the club’s La Masia youth academy, next to the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
The academy produces a conveyor belt of talent, all trained to play the same way and to swap positions seamlessly.
Netherlands international Brugts said: “It’s difficult to explain because it’s so many small things. It’s doing the simple things good.
It’s a team sport. If everybody does their own roles, you’ll perform the best way.” Barcelona also beat rivals Real Madrid 7-0 last month in Liga F.
Arsenal boss Slegers said Barcelona have “a really strong identity” that does not change when new players arrive. “They can play in different positions and also have a very strong and clear way of playing.
It’s very impressive with the way Barcelona plays,” she said.
While it is a new era, Barcelona’s ambitions remain the same: to defend their four titles this season. Brugts said the club is “really building” its identity with new players and believes there are “no limits” to what they can produce.
Talented youngsters such as midfielder Clara Serrajordi, 18, defender Renee van Asten, 20, and forward Vicky Lopez, 20, have added depth to the squad.
“It took me some time to adjust, to learn and understand what it is to play the Barca way. I’m still not there, but it’s a process,” said 23-year-old Brugts.
She added that she is proud of what is coming through from the younger teams.
