Alexia Putellas to miss Barcelona’s UWCL clash

Barcelona Femeni will be without captain Alexia Putellas for Thursday’s Women’s Champions League clash against Danish champions HB Køge.

The 27-year-old has been left out of the travelling squad because of a calf injury, while goalkeeper Cata Coll is also absent because of tonsillitis.

The news will be a blow for Jonatan Giráldez’s side as Alexia has started the season in fine form once again. The captain’s already scored seven goals in the league and opened her Champions League account in the 4-1 victory over Arsenal last time out.

Barca will still be expected to win against HB Koge without Alexia and face a team who were thrashed 5-0 by Hoffenheim in their opening group fixture. Yet the Danes have a strong home record and have won their last seven matches in all competitions on their own turf.

Giráldez told his pre-match press conference he’s expecting a tough game.

“They are leaders in their league and we expect a competitive match due to their need to win after losing the first match. The pitch counts, it is artificial grass, and also the cold. We know that it will cost from the beginning and we have to come out well and with the intention of going out to win.”

The holders head into the match after a great 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the weekend that keeps the team top of the table in Spain with six wins from six and a whopping 38 goals scored so far.