Barça and Pere Punti begin title defence in the Champions League

In the afternoon training, Pere Romeu was fine‑tuning the final details as the clock struck 21:00 and the broadcast was getting ready for Disney+. FC Barcelona began this Wednesday its defence of the 2026‑27 Champions League title with a visit to Paris FC, a debut that reflects the ambition of a side that has dominated the competition in recent years.

Recent history and goal in Oslo

The Blaugrana, who have contested seven of the last eight finals and have amassed four continental titles, are looking to repeat the triumph achieved in Oslo, where they beat OL Lyonnes of Michele Kang 4‑0. Romeu recalled that the success in Oslo is “past” and that the objective now is to rebuild the path from the first match.

Injuries and call‑ups

The lineup that will debut in Europe arrives affected by absences: Aleixandri and Van Asten were already missing, and Vicky López and Kika are added, whose availability Romeu doubted yesterday. Aitana and Paredes were also out, but they are on the brink of returning. The centre‑back will probably make the list, while the triple Ballon d'Or will wait for at least one more match.

Two players, Aïcha and Carla Julià, continue at the U‑20 World Cup with Spain, forcing Romeu to complete the squad with regulars such as Daniela, Martina González, Carolina, Lúa Arufe and Mayssa, all with chances of being on the list for the night.

Romeu emphasized that “the Ballon d'Or deserves to be won by a Barça player” and Ángel Pérez, journalist, added: “I want to play many more years at Barça.” Despite the absences, the offensive potential remains intact with Ewa Pajor as the main reference.

The Polish forward line, in its third European season with Barça, arrives at the debut with the hope of seeing the Champions as the main objective of the campaign, with Warsaw as the final horizon, although aware that the road will be long.