Controversy after Barça Femení’s 10-1 Super Cup hammering

FC Barcelona Femení were crowned Super Cup champions of Spain after beating Real Sociedad 10-1, a scoreline that prompted complaints about the financial imbalance from the manager of the Basque side. 

The result opened up a debate on whether or not the imbalance of level is beneficial or detrimental to the women’s game in Spain. 

Gonzalo Arconada, Real Sociedad coach, called on the Spanish football federation to “reflect on whether or not they want this [type of result] to encourage women’s football” in the country, after his side were easily dispatched in a match that pits two of the nation’s best sides against each other. 

Arconada spoke about his worries for the future development of the women’s game, arguing in the post-game press conference that if things continue as they are, then more and more Spanish and home grown players will sit on the bench, stunting their growth, while international players will be given the lion’s share of playing time. 

“I don’t think it’s a good thing that a league is decided with so many games left to play, or that the difference in a final be as big as this,” Real Sociedad captain Nahikari García. 

Lluís Cortés, manager of Barcelona, rallied back against the criticism of the current state of the league, arguing the 10-1 scoreline is “not the real difference between teams in women’s football” in Spain. 

"The difference is not so great,” Cortés said. “I don’t think we will win by this difference again in a long time. We must remember that even in the league there have been games that have been difficult to win," he added.

However, only on two occasions this campaign have the blaugrana dropped points, winning every other match, and they currently stand nine points clear at the top of the table. 

Glory in Europe will be their primary concern for the remainder of the season undoubtedly, after falling to Lyon in the Champions League final last year. 

On the pitch, Marta Torrejón was named MVP of the match, notching four of her team’s goals. The Super Cup title is the first in the club’s history. 

Setién gets first league away win

In the men’s football, Quique Setién enjoyed his first La Liga win as Barcelona coach away from the Camp Nou, defeating his old side Real Betis 2-3. Lionel Messi was instrumental as ever, earning assists for all three of his sides goals, tucked away by Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, and Clement Lenglet. 

The club may be granted permission to make an emergency signing outside of the transfer window, due to the long-term injuries to Luis Suárez and Ousmane Dembélé. Barça are rumoured to be tracking Willian José, the Brazilian striker currently with Real Sociedad. 

Espanyol revival picks up steam

Espanyol have won their first home league game of the season thanks to a Raúl de Tomás goal against fellow relegation-threatened side Mallorca. The arrival of the former Rayo Vallecano striker has revived the Catalans in the fight to avoid the drop, as the striker already boasts four goals in as many league games for his new side. 

Abelardo’s troops remain bottom of the table on goal difference behind Leganés, but are only two points away from safety and have momentum behind them. They face a trip to Champions League chasing Sevilla next weekend, before their first Europa League knockout tie against Wolves.