Previews
MIÉ 22.03.2017
Europe's elite club competition returns this week with the staging of the quarter-finals, as the continent's leading sides look to edge closer to a place in the Cardiff City Stadium showpiece, whilst the sole remaining Spanish representatives bid to etch their names into the history books. Just two games currently stand between FC Barcelona and an elusive semi-final berth, with the Catalans looking to set the record straight after having never previously progressed into the competition's final four.
Last season saw the Azulgranas come agonisingly close to taking their European adventure into uncharted territory, only for their hopes to be cruelly dashed by a last-gasp Paris St-Germain goal. This term's competition sees Llorens's troops handed another bite at the cherry, with the ambitious Catalans perfectly aware of the magnitude of the task that awaits against a Rosengard side led by Brazilian superstar Marta.
Sortim cap a Malmö! La @UWCL ens espera / iSalimos hacia Malmö! La Champions League nos espera #FCBFemeni pic.twitter.com/0kDUE6PBDF
— FCB Femení (@FCBfemeni) March 21, 2017
Domestically, Barça are currently sitting in second place after having succumbed to two disappointing defeats this season, but it's on the continental stage that Las Cules have really delivered their best, with the team currently laying claim to an imperious unbeaten record. Barcelona have reached this stage after having comfortably swept FC Twente aside in the last round as Llorens's quarter-finalists ran out narrow 1-0 winners on home turf - a victory secured courtesy of Jenni Hermoso's sublime volleyed effort -, before putting the Dutch outfit to the sword in a resounding 4-0 romp in Holland.
By sealing their place in the quarters, Las Blaugranas have already matched their best-ever showing in the Champions League and they'll be desperate to go one better this time round. Lying in wait are a Rosengard side whose domestic season doesn't begin until April but who are currently flexing their muscles in the Swedish Cup. Jack Majgaard's charges made light work of Goteborg FC in their first competitive outing of the campaign as they cruised to a 5-0 round-of-16 success and the Malmo-based outfit limbered up for Wednesday's first-leg clash by seeing off Pitea IF in a 1-0 away triumph on Saturday to take their place in the semi-finals of the domestic cup competition. Barça will have to be particularly wary of the threat posed by five-time Ballon d'Or winner Marta, who has been wowing the Rosengard faithful with her considerable talents since checking in at the Malmo IP back in July 2014.
The Liga Iberdrola outfit will be keen to claim a first-leg advantage as they look to return to the Miniestadi in a commanding position ahead of the all-important second-leg showdown. The scene is set for Barcelona to clinch a historic semi-final spot and continue to fly the flag for the Spanish women's game at Europe's top table.
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