The captain reported pain in her left knee, which prevented participation in the latter part of the match against the Portuguese side.
On Tuesday, November 14, Barcelona and Benfica faced off at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in the opening matchday of the 2023/24 Women’s Champions League group stage. The result leaned heavily in Barcelona’s favor, finishing 5-0, but a persistent concern emerged around Alexia Putellas, who felt discomfort in her left knee five days before Barcelona hosts Real Madrid in League F.
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Putellas opened the scoring with a powerful header, giving Barça the early lead against Benfica. During the first half, she experienced knee pain that caused a brief moment on the bench for a medical check. She remained on the pitch and later added a second goal, though UEFA later credited Esmee Brugts with the second goal.
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As the match approached its conclusion, Aitana Bonmatí extended the advantage to 3-0. After the break, Putellas stayed in the dressing room and was substituted for the entire second half by Patri Guijarro. The decision was described as precautionary, aiming to avoid risking a potential issue with the two-time Ballon d’Or winner.
What happens next will be monitored closely through medical assessments to determine whether the knee issue is minor or could require further treatment. Barcelona described the substitution as a precaution rather than a diagnosis, signaling a cautious approach given the upcoming schedule and the importance of maintaining squad health for the season ahead.
Despite the concern around the captain, Barça looks ahead to a big derby next weekend at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, where they will host Real Madrid. The clash will mark the ninth round of the Women’s League, and the venue change followed a sell-out crowd at the Estadi Johan Cruijff, underscoring the growing fan interest in women’s football across the region.
Credit for the report goes to Goal.