Keogh: Elena Sadiku at Celtic would be my shout. She joined in January 2024 and clinched the Scottish Premier League title before making Celtic the first Scottish side to qualify for the Women’s Champions League group stage since it was introduced in 2020-21.
Though they have failed to pick up a point so far and their time in the competition may not have gone to plan, with giants like Real Madrid and Chelsea in the group, the odds were always going to be against them. They may have managed to score only one goal in four games — during their 2-1 loss to Chelsea — it carries some significant weight as it was the first time this season that the Blues have gone behind.
It has been a positive start for Celtic on their European journey and if they can secure a spot next season with the new UWCL format, they will want to show that they can better their efforts.
Marsden: The summer’s managerial merry-go-round could have opened up a window of opportunity for the teams in the second tier trying to break into the top. Instead, so far, it looks like the status quo has been maintained. That is credit to the new hires.
Bompastor is obviously doing great at Chelsea, Lyon remain a winning machine under Montemurro, and even Barça have recovered from a slow start (by their standards) under Pere Romeu and have scored 20 goals in three games since that surprise defeat to Man City. Romeu rotates a lot but in the big games we have seen him pick a more attacking lineup than his predecessor Jonatan Giráldez, with Keira Walsh often dropped in favour of a more attacking midfielder.
Just how impressive is Alexia Putellas’ 200 goals for Barcelona?
Marsden: The 200 goals are obviously impressive and highlight the importance of Putellas in Barça’s evolution into one of the best teams in the game. However, for me, the more significant number here is 10. That’s how many goals she has this season now and is further proof that she is re-finding her best form after her ACL injury. Last year was about getting back up to speed, and there were niggles along the way, but this season she looks like she really believes she can recapture her pre-injury performances.
“I am happy and it shows on the pitch,” she said this week.
Keogh: Putellas has proven time and time again how vital she is for Barcelona. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner has been pivotal for Barça’s attack and nothing seems to be slowing her down now she has returned.
We saw how the droves of Barcelona fans celebrated Putellas during the Champions League final in Bilbao when she scored to secure the victory in the 2-0 win over Lyon. Fans aptly coined her La Reina (The Queen) and with her prolific goal-scoring nature, it is easy to see why. After surpassing Luis Suárez’s 198 goals against Real Madrid with her 199th, she moved into Barcelona’s all-time top three scorers, only behind Lionel Messi (672) and César Rodríguez (232).
Lindop: There is a reason why they call her La Reina. Putellas has already proved why she will go down as one of the best players in women’s football history, but reaching this latest landmark further reinforces that idea.
The 30-year-old has won 26 official titles with Barcelona, including eight leagues and three Champions Leagues. Her goal-scoring exploits have been central to the club’s dominance on both the domestic and the European stage. And, after taking some time to rediscover her best form, it is fantastic to see Putellas back firing on all cylinders.
