Recap, Highlights, & Analysis: Real Madrid Femenino 5-0 Espanyol; Liga F 2024/25

Real Madrid defeated Espanyol with the result 5-0 on matchday 17 of Liga F. Below are my thoughts and views on the match.

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  Real Madrid XI
  
  

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  Eibar XI
  
  

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  Substitutes
  
  

Misa started on goal. Rocío and Lakrar made the center back duo. Shei started on RB while Yasmim debuted on LB. Tere and Angeldahl were the pivot duo with Weir being a part of the front four with Athenea, Linda, and Bruun who led the line.

It was a messy first half. It was mostly characterized by the lack of synergy on the left-hand side but it was expected when seeing Yasmim on the lineup sheet. The Brazilian attempted 4 crosses and none of them were successful, but aside from that, it was clear from her positioning that she’s yet to get to know her teammates. In attack, Caicedo would help communicate with her and at times there would be a decent combination between Yasmim and a player in the box. Her positioning in the defensive line could be seen in one instance where there was an offside position in Espanyol’s attack, but she didn’t follow the line the rest of the defense set up.

There were more problems like the unnecessary possession losses, especially in the midfield and weirdly too often by Caroline Weir. Still, Las Blancas went to halftime with a 2 goals lead.

There were no halftime substitutions. The first change was in 61’ when Redondo came on for Bruun and scored in the next 3 minutes. Another significant substitution came in the 68’ with a double sub of Olga and Irune for Linda and Angeldahl. Olga took the LW spot with Yasmim staying back.

At 68’ the 16-year-old Real Madrid B player made her debut. Irune Dorado becomes the third youngest player to debut for Las Blancas and got the chance to play for the last 22 minutes of the encounter.

She made her impact in a quick recovery during a back pass attempt from Espanyol shortly after getting on. She also went back-to-back with the opponents and didn’t back down from any physical duels. Irune is a defensive midfielder and one of Cantera’s best prospects.

• 39’: GOAL (1-0) by Maëlle Lakrar: goal from a messy corner kick. There was a bit of commotion at the goal line between Athenea and a few Espanyol players, but Lakrar took advantage of that situation to push it inside.
• 45+2’: GOAL (2-0) by Athenea del Castillo: A recovery by Angeldahl in front of the box. Athenea swept through with the ball on a diagonal, combined with Linda at the edge of the box and made the shot.

• 51’: GOAL (3-0) by Linda Caicedo: a long ball by Angeldahl from the back for Athenea to get on a run. She sent the cross to the unmarked Caicedo in the box. She had time to switch the foot, cut to the middle, and shoot it in.

• 64’: GOAL (4-0) by Alba Redondo: Eva Navarro tried her luck from a distance. Her shot hit the crossbar, but Redondo was there for the rebound and headed it in.
• 90+2’: GOAL (5-0) by María Méndez: a freekick taken by Teresa to assist Méndez for a header.

A comfortable win to ease the low level in the past 3 games and end the month on a high. Two debuts including the newly transferred left back from Corinthians, Yasmim, who came in the beginning of this year.