FC Barcelona have an important task for the coming months. The best centre-back in the world, Mapi León, is going to miss practically the whole season and the central defence is in the balance. The club is already starting to look for alternatives to replace the Spanish defender, something that will be very difficult, if not impossible.
The player suffered a tear of the external meniscus in her right knee during the last training session of the week prior to the game against Eibar. On Wednesday, she underwent surgery and was successfully operated on. FC Barcelona haven’t announced a timetable for her return, but everything points to her missing the whole season.
Mapi León is considered by many to be the best centre-back in the world. FC Barcelona lose its wall at the back, a player who has played practically everything since her arrival at the Catalan club in 2017 from Atlético de Madrid. Her character, grit, leadership, defensive solidity, ball control and magical left foot are some of the things that characterise her. A real setback for the ‘Azulgranas’.
FC Barcelona considered going to the winter market to bring in an experienced centre-back, but the decision has been ruled out due to financial issues that would affect renewals. Jona Giráldez will have to juggle to find a replacement, which could even be a player from the reserve team. In addition, Irene Paredes and Jana Fernández, both centre-backs, are still recovering from injuries.
The year 2024 will start with a battle of several centre-backs looking for a place alongside Irene Paredes. The Spanish centre-back suffered a muscle injury in the anterior rectus muscle of her right thigh in the last national team training camp and everything points to her returning to play in January. In the meantime, a number of players are looking forward to the opportunity to find a place alongside her at the back.
Ingrid Engen:
The Norwegian player is going through her best moment since she arrived at Barça two seasons ago. The midfielder has been playing as a central defender for several games now and is doing a great job. Engen seems to be taking the lead at the back and is perhaps the most regular player in that position without being her natural one.
Ingrid Engen is showing great defensive strength in the centre-back position. Add to that her good positioning and great ball control, characteristic of being a pivot, and you get a centre-back with a lot of quality. She has played great games against Atlético de Madrid, Real Madrid or in the Champions League and has been highlighted by Jona Giráldez as one of the best. The Norwegian is making the most of the opportunity with a very good grade.
Jana Fernández:
The young Catalan defender has been knocking on the door of the first team starting line-up for years and this could be her dream moment. Her injuries haven’t helped her to have regularity, but when she has played, she has shown herself to be different from the rest. Everything suggests that this week she will return from her quadriceps injury and Jona Giráldez himself put her name on the table to replace Mapi León.
She has been in the first team since 2020 and at 21 years old, she is already a real veteran. Jana Fernández is characterised by her speed and great ball control. She has already played with Irene Paredes and they have complemented each other perfectly. She is the Catalan club’s bet for the future as she continues to develop her skills and establish herself in the FC Barcelona backline.
Martina Fernández:
This season is helping the youth players to make the most of their opportunities in the face of a plague of injuries. Martina Fernández is doing this to perfection and her name is beginning to be mentioned as a candidate for a place at the back. The 19-year-old defender has formed a defensive duo with Ingrid Engen in the last two league games and has more than delivered.
She made her debut last season, but only played three games. She has already surpassed that number this season and is expected to play much more. In the UWCL he started as a substitute against Rosengard, but played half an hour after replacing Engen. She was able to make the most of them and even scored her first goals for the first team. She is a player who has already shown in the ‘B’ team that she has a goal and that defensively she is impeccable.
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
Main image: @FCBFemeni.
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