Ruth grabbed the only goal of the game as Barça got the Champions League off to a fine start
It was a physical game with very few goalscoring chances for either side
MATCH STATS
Slavia Prague, 0
FC Barcelona, 1
Slavia Prague: Votikova, Tomaskova, Budosova, Pincova, Benyrova, Bartovicova, Penickova, Divisova, Malinova (Chlastakova, min 80), Svitkova & Kozarova.
FC Barcelona: Ràfols, M.Unzué, Torrejón, Ruth, Melanie, Virgínia, Gemma, Vicky Losada, Corredera, Willy (Alèxia, min 56) & Sonia (Mariona, min 67).
Goal: 0-1 Ruth García, min 81.
The Barça women’s team beat Slavia Prague 1-0 away in the Champions League round of 16 first leg to set things up nicely for next week’s return in the Miniestadi.
Physical encounter
Coach Xavi Llorens had warned that the Czech girls were a physical side, and that was indeed the case. But with rapid plays down the wings, Barça managed to create plenty of pressure, although turning that pressure into real chances was not easy. Melanie tried an early shot from long range, but Slavia also created some danger of their own.
Sonia almost scored with a fine effort that deflected wide off a defender, and just minutes later finished off a clever set piece with a shot that skimmed just wide of the Slavia post.
Late reward
The second half saw Slavia taking the initiative far more, and Barça started struggling to maintain their grip on the game. The Czechs were getting all the chances until Alèxia was sent on to stir things up a bit in the FCB attack. It worked, because the home side lost all their composure and with nine minutes to go, an Alèxia corner was met by a powergful header from Ruth Garcia that found the back of the net. The Barça girls played sensible football for the closing minutes, and almost sentenced the game with a Virgínia shot onto the post.
It all ended 1-0, and that result puts Barça in a fine position going into next Wednesday’s second leg at the Miniestadi, which kicks off at 7.00 PM CET.