Barcelona Women are flying high on the pitch but carrying heavy burdens off it. With three wins and a draw in their first four 2024-25 UEFA Women's Champions League group stage matches, they’ve looked every bit the dominant force they were when they last lifted the trophy in 2023. But behind the 7-1 thrashing of Bayern Munich and the 4-0 demolition of AS Roma, there’s a quiet struggle: the team began the 2024-25 season with just 17 contracted players. That’s fewer than most high school varsity squads. And yet, they’re still winning.
The Machine That Won’t Stop
Under head coach Pere Romeu, Barcelona’s machine keeps humming. Captain Alexia Putellas, 30, still orchestrates play with the poise of a veteran conductor. Aitana Bonmatí, the reigning Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, moves like she’s playing in slow motion—except everyone else is frozen. Patricia Guijarro anchors the midfield, and 19-year-old Vicky López? She’s the quiet storm. The team’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea FC Women at Stamford Bridge wasn’t pretty, but it was enough to keep them top of Group B. Their home record at Estadi Johan Cruyff in Sant Joan Despí is flawless: 7-1 over Oud-Heverlee Leuven Ladies, 8-0 against Madrid CFF, and a 6-0 win over Real Betis Féminas in the Copa de la Reina semis. They’ve won every domestic game since August. Even with half a squad, they’re unbeaten in Liga F.
The Ghosts of 2023-24
But here’s the twist: last season, they came agonizingly close to history. They won Liga F by 12 points. They crushed everyone in Spain. They were seconds away from a continental treble—until Arsenal Women scored in the 83rd minute of the Champions League final. The silence at Camp Nou that night wasn’t just disappointment. It was grief. For a club that had won the European title in 2021 and 2023, losing that final felt like a betrayal of their own standards. And now? They’re trying to prove it wasn’t a fluke. This season isn’t just about redemption. It’s about survival.
The Financial Abyss
FC Barcelona’s financial crisis isn’t news. But for the women’s team, it’s become a daily reality. The club’s 2024-25 budget cut them to 17 players. No reserve keepers. No third-choice wingers. No backup defenders. Just 17 women, many of them carrying injuries, playing every 72 hours across three competitions. They’ve had to cancel training sessions because they couldn’t afford the pitch rental. They’ve used the men’s team’s gym after hours. The medical staff works double shifts. And yet, they’re still winning. The contrast is jarring: while the men’s team flounders in La Liga, the women are outscoring every team in Europe. And they’re doing it with half the resources of OL Lyon or Chelsea.
What Comes Next?
Two matches loom. On December 10, they face Benfica Women at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Then, on December 17, they travel to Saint-Germain-en-Laye to take on Paris FC Women. Both are broadcast on Disney+ and ESPN. If they win both, they’ll likely top the group and avoid OL Lyon until the final. But even if they don’t, their qualification for the knockout stage feels inevitable. The bigger question: Can they keep this up through February? The squad’s fatigue is visible. Bonmatí missed a training session last week with a nagging thigh issue. Putellas, the captain, is playing through pain. And the 19-year-old López? She’s averaging 87 minutes per game. She’s not supposed to be carrying this load yet.
A Legacy That Defies Logic
Here’s what makes this team extraordinary: they’re the only club in history—men’s or women’s—whose senior sides have both won the Champions League. The men did it five times. The women? Twice. And they’re on the verge of a third. That’s not just talent. It’s defiance. While the club’s board debates austerity measures and ticket prices, these women are rewriting the narrative of what’s possible with nothing. Their next match at Estadi Johan Cruyff? Tickets are available with a 25% discount using code FCB25. Go watch them. Because you won’t see anything like this again.
Looking Ahead: The 2025-26 Season
Even before this campaign ends, Barcelona’s schedule for next season is already set. Their first match in the 2025-26 UEFA Women's Champions League will be on December 6, 2025, back at Estadi Johan Cruyff against Benfica Women. The final will be held at Ullevi Stadion in Oslo between May 22-24, 2026. Spain’s third-place ranking in UEFA’s country coefficients (68.166 points) guarantees them automatic entry. The domestic schedule through May 31, 2026 includes a final-day clash with Madrid CFF at Estadio Fernando Torres. If they maintain this pace, they could be chasing an unprecedented fourth European title.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Barcelona managing to compete with only 17 players?
Barcelona’s women’s team is stretching its roster to the limit, with key players like Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí playing nearly every minute of every match. The club has merged its B-team with the first team for training, and medical staff are working extended hours to manage fatigue and injuries. They’ve also reduced travel costs by using team buses for away games instead of charter flights. Despite this, their win rate remains above 90% in domestic play.
Why did Barcelona lose the 2023-24 Champions League final?
Barcelona led Arsenal 1-0 in the final at the Estádio José Alvalade but conceded a late goal in the 83rd minute after a defensive lapse. The team had played three matches in 11 days leading up to the final, and fatigue played a role. Arsenal’s tactical shift in the second half—switching to a 3-4-3—overwhelmed Barcelona’s full-backs, who were already dealing with injuries. It was their first loss in 22 European matches.
What’s the impact of Spain’s UEFA country coefficient ranking?
Spain’s third-place ranking (68.166 points) ensures the women’s champion qualifies directly for the group stage of the Champions League, bypassing the qualifying rounds. This gives Barcelona a crucial advantage over teams from lower-ranked nations like Italy or the Netherlands, who must win two-legged ties just to reach the group stage. Germany and England rank above Spain, but only because their clubs performed better collectively in Europe over the past five years.
How does Barcelona’s current squad compare to their 2021 title-winning team?
The 2021 team had more depth, with 28 contracted players and a full reserve squad. Now, they rely on fewer than half that number. However, the current squad is more experienced: Putellas, Bonmatí, and Guijarro are all in their prime, whereas the 2021 side featured younger stars like Aitana Bonmatí, who was only 22 then. The talent level is higher, but the support structure is thinner. This makes their success even more remarkable.
Will financial issues affect Barcelona’s chances in the 2025-26 Champions League?
Possibly. If the club doesn’t secure new sponsorship or improve its financial health by mid-2025, they may struggle to retain key players or sign replacements. Vicky López, 19, is already attracting interest from clubs in England and Germany. Losing her—or Putellas if she retires—could destabilize the team. But for now, their on-field performance continues to outpace their budget, a testament to their coaching and culture.
Where can fans watch Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League matches?
All of Barcelona’s 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League matches are broadcast live on Disney+ and ESPN in the U.S. and select international markets. In Europe, they’re available via UEFA.tv and local broadcasters like Movistar+ in Spain. Tickets for home games at Estadi Johan Cruyff are available with a 25% discount using code FCB25 for group purchases of three or more.
