Player Ratings: WFC Zhytlobud-1 Kharkiv 0 - 1 Real Madrid Femenino

Real Madrid Femenino made their official debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and marked it with an away win over Ukrainian side WFC Zhytlobud-1 Kharkiv. Lorena Navarro scored the club’s first ever UWCL goal in the 33rd min, which was enough to secure all three points.

Starting XI

GK: Misa — 7/10: Misa didn’t really have anything to do the entire game, with Kharkiv managing 0 shots on target. She was decent with the ball.

RCB: Ivana Andrés — 6.5/ 10: Ivana had a shaky start like the entire team, misplacing passes initially and didn’t really have the best of performances.

CB: Rocío Gálvez — 7/10: Rocío looked good on the ball and was dominant in the air. She was Real Madrid’s most threatening player in attacking set-pieces. Playing as the central defender in the back three, her passing ability helped Madrid build out from the back.

LCB: Babett Peter — 6.5/10: Babett looked good in her duels but wasn’t economical with her passing from the ball and attempted a lot of long balls.

RWB: Lucía Rodríguez — 7/10: This was a really encouraging performance from Lucía at right wing-back. She was influential in the opposition half and looked to carry the ball forwards. Her crossing was decent as well.

LWB: Olga Carmona — 7.5/10: Olga was a positive factor for Madrid and was a constant outlet for Madrid to move the ball forwards. She was tireless on the flank, contributing both offensively and defensively, giving it her all to regain possession. Her crossing wasn’t always accurate but she was a constant source of threat for Real Madrid.

DM: Claudia Zornoza — 6.5/10: Zornoza was deployed as the deepest midfielder and seemed to struggle a fair bit, often losing possession.

RCM: Claudia Florentino — 6.5/10: Had a tough time playing as the right-sided interior. She seemed to be lacking proper instruction on the spaces to occupy and seemed sloppy on the ball. She was clumsy on defense and committed a lot of fouls.

LCM: Lorena Navarro — 8.5/10: Lorena — Real Madrid’s first ever goalscorer in the UWCL — was by far the best player on the pitch. She had the second most touches in the team and was heavily influential, popping up in all the right places while playing as a left-sided interior. Her passing was sharp as usual and she really put in a shift, even winning three out of her four aerial duels despite her diminutive stature. She has really stepped up recently with her performances.

LS: Nahikari García — 8/10: It was a really positive showing from Nahikari who looked much more involved. She linked well with her teammates and almost set up Lorena for the opener a minute before the actual goal. Nahikari later did well to play in Athenea for a good chance.

RS: Athenea del Castillo — 7.5/10: Athenea was threatening as always when driving at defenses. She took on players and got the better of the opposition on most occasions. She had the chance to grab another goal but couldn’t put her shot away.

Substitutes

RB: Kenti Robles — 6.5/10 (replaced Olga; 75’): She was good going forwards and recovered well when Kharkiv grew slightly towards the end of the game.

RS: Caroline Møller Hansen — N/A (replaced Athenea; 84’): Had a couple good touches and a shot at goal after coming on.

LS: Marta Corredera — N/A (replaced Nahikari 88’): Corredera was remarkably asked to play as a striker. Even more remarkably, she set up Møller for a shot after flicking an aerial ball into the Dane’s path.