Barcelona - Eibar Femenino: cantera called up as Barca navigate injury crisis ahead of Saturday clash
Barcelona return home to the Johan Cruyff Stadium on Saturday, February 14 at 6: 30 PM ET to face Eibar in a match that threatens to be more about squad management than surprises on the scoresheet. The reigning domestic leaders arrive on a 14-game winning run but must cope with several absentees, while Eibar seek to end a run of poor results and make life difficult for the hosts.
Match details and stakes
The fixture completes a busy week for Barcelona as they look to protect a comfortably large advantage at the top of the table. The hosts sit well clear of their nearest challengers and have the Supercopa already secured, but the second half of the season will demand careful rotation as they pursue progress in multiple competitions. For Eibar, the match is an opportunity to reverse a four-game winless streak and climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
Injury blow and youth players to the rescue
Barcelona’s injury list has grown at an inopportune moment. Defender Laia Aleixandri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and has undergone successful surgery; she will be sidelined for an estimated 10 to 12 months. Other long-term absences include Mapi and Aitana, and a last-minute issue has ruled Cata Coll out for around a month. To fill gaps in the matchday squad, the coaching staff have turned to the club’s cantera, with several academy players expected to be involved and Gemma Font set to repeat as starter in goal.
Returns lift the bench
Some positive reinforcements are available. Alexia Putellas, Marta Torrejón and Irene Paredes are back in the squad and provide experienced options for rotation. Their presence will allow the coach greater tactical flexibility and the chance to protect key players as Barcelona balance domestic and cup commitments. Even so, the number of absentees means line-up decisions will be delicate: balancing game control with protecting fragile recovery timelines will shape the XI and substitutions.
Form guide: Barcelona dominance vs Eibar struggles
Barça arrive in fine form, compiling a 14-match winning streak in the league and looking to keep momentum into the decisive part of the season. Eibar, by contrast, have won only five league matches all season and have dropped points in each of their last four outings. The visitors sit in the lower third of the standings and will be under pressure to deliver a resilient display at the Johan Cruyff if they hope to challenge for points.
Head-to-head and the first-leg reminder
The historical record between the two sides strongly favors Barcelona. In nine meetings, the hosts have won every game, outscoring Eibar 47 to 2. The first meeting this season ended in a comfortable 4-0 victory for the visitors at Ipurua, with goals from Serrajordi, Vicky López, Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo. That result underlined the gulf in quality, but it also serves as a template for Barcelona: control possession, rotate intelligently and exploit openings when they arise.
Tactical outlook and what to expect
Barcelona are likely to start with a strong core but will not be averse to using the match as an opportunity to rest key players and blood youth prospects, especially given the schedule. Expect high possession, quick transitions and an emphasis on creating overloads down the flanks. Eibar’s best route to a surprise will be compact defending, quick counters and exploiting set-piece situations. For neutrals, the narrative will be watching how the host side integrates young reinforcements while maintaining its relentless standards.
Whatever the XI, the fixture is another test of Barcelona’s depth. The team’s domestic supremacy is clear, but injuries will shape the next weeks. Saturday’s kickoff at 6: 30 PM ET offers a snapshot of how well the squad can cope when forced to lean on the next generation.
