Barcelona are due to host Arsenal in a Women's Champions League match on Thursday. Barcelona have won all three of their league-phase matches and scored 19 goals, while Arsenal are fifth in the European table with seven points.
Arsenal's domestic position
Arsenal are sixth in the Women's Super League after their five-game winless run ended in October.
Barcelona's changes and ambitions
Alexia Putellas left Barcelona in the summer to join London City Lionesses, Mapi Leon joined her at Bromley, Ona Batlle joined Arsenal and Salma Paralluelo joined Lyon.
Barcelona have won four of the past six Women's Champions League titles, and their ambitions remain to defend their four titles this season. Their squad includes 18-year-old midfielder Clara Serrajordi, 20-year-old defender Renee van Asten and 20-year-old forward Vicky Lopez.
Brugts on Barcelona's football
Barcelona's Esmee Brugts, a Netherlands international, told BBC Sport: “Every season is different. There are always changes but we know that's football. There's an opportunity to make a new story and that's up to us. So far, I've been quite happy with how it's going. I'm excited for the upcoming games to see how we do. It can be a bit different - but different in a good way also.”
Brugts joined Barcelona in 2023. She said: “It's difficult to explain because it's so many small things. It's doing the simple things good. It's a team sport. If everybody does their own roles, you'll perform the best way. I watched a documentary about Johan Cruyff and it's exactly how he wanted to play. It's how we try to play every week. We try to be as perfect as possible. We try to win every trophy there is by playing really beautiful football, in my opinion. The 'tiki-taka' I enjoy so much.”
Views on the younger players
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers said: “They can play in different positions and also have a very strong and clear way of playing. It's very impressive with the way Barcelona plays.”
Brugts said: “It took me some time to adjust, to learn and understand what it is to play the Barca way. I'm still not there, but it's a process. It's an interesting journey - to do it surrounded by the best players, some that have left and some that are still here. I'm super-grateful and I'm super-proud if I look at what's coming up from the younger teams. I'm very impressed with how good they are. The way Barcelona plays is something you have to learn when you are young. Whenever we need them, they are ready to play and understand the game.”
