Como, Sandy Baltimore and Atlético Madrid - your women's football roundup
The return of many major European leagues at the weekend meant that this last week has been one of the most exciting since the end of the World Cup, with more and more games to catch up with and plenty of the world’s best players in action. The fact that stories are already emerging over who will be challenging for titles, who will be scrapping it out in relegation battles and who could surprise shows that the 2023/2024 campaign could be one of the most exciting yet.
As always, this newsletter will try to make sense of everything that has been going on of late, with a selection of discussion points, external articles and a podcast episode to dive into, ensuring that you have everything you could possibly want from the media side of the women’s game.
3 key talking points….
Don’t sleep on Como this season
When it comes to the Italian top flight, the teams that will always attract the headlines are Juventus, Roma and the two Milan sides.
However, one club lower down the league who could be one to watch is Como, who only won two matches before the division split into two last time out but who ended up second in the relegation group and nine points clear of bottom side Parma.
They are not a side expected to win many games, but their win against newly-promoted Napoli, who secured the Serie B title last season, showed that they do have it in them to put on strong performances and to take three points from their outings, and their solid defensive shape and the fact that they have goal threats in different areas of the team is likely to frustrate a few and could lead to them being involved in some tight matches and surprise results over the coming months.
https://twitter.com/SerieATotal/status/1704122034538586543
Regardless though, they will be an entertaining team who play a good attacking style of play when allowed to, and their heart and belief will not be easy to shake off and could lead to them damaging the hopes of a few in the league as the season goes on.
Sandy Baltimore could answer PSG’s prayers
With 17-goal league top scorer Kadidiatou Diani moving to rivals Lyon this summer, PSG fans would have been forgiven for harbouring some concerns over where their goals would come from this season.
The simple fact is that the loss of Diani left them with Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who is still making her comeback from a serious injury, and Amalie Vangsgaard, who has so far struggled to make an impact in the French capital, as their only realistic striking options (although there are a few younger and fringe players who could step in if needed).
However, against Bordeaux in their league opener, PSG did seem to indicate that another player could step in and fill the void, at least until Katoto is ready to start matches again, with Sandy Baltimore operating more centrally than she has done in the past.
She is a player who has regularly featured in matchday squads for a number of years, but who has more often than not been relegated to a supporting role on the wings, using her pace to make runs and to deliver balls into the middle.
For a closer look at what Sandy Baltimore offers PSG, cast your eyes over my article for Total Football Analysis from a few years ago:
This season could be the one when she finally steps out of the limelight and really establishes herself as a key player in their attack, and her performance at the weekend showed that she is ready to do so, with her dropping back and running forward to both connect play and ensure that there was a focal point when required.
“On the pitch, she has the qualities to make an impact so there is no pressure. Always believe in your quality.”
Wendie Renard, talking to the UEFA website ahead of Euro 2022 about Sandy Baltimore’s game.
As mentioned, PSG do have other options that might be better suited in the long run, but Baltimore has certainly demonstrated that she can play in the central role if required, and it would not be a surprise to see her play there again at some point during the campaign.
Atlético Madrid announce their top three intentions
Whilst Barcelona are widely expected to retain their Liga F title, the battle behind them for a place in the top three (and next season’s Champions League) is one that is not so easy to call.
Last season, it was a rapidly improving Real Madrid and an impressive Levante side who claimed the final places at Europe’s top table, but Atlético Madrid have started this season in fine form as they seek to correct what went wrong last season and to regain their place in the top three.
Some of their play against Athletic Club was breathtaking at the weekend, with lightning-quick transitions and one-touch passing sequences making them very effective in possession and difficult to contain, and the attacking threats of players like Rasheedat Ajibade and Eva Navarro indicated that they have creativity and goals in them and will be difficult to defend against as the season goes on.
https://twitter.com/Erafutbolfem/status/1703005361098129879
Their desire to return to the Champions League was also shown by their ambition in the transfer market, with the signing of Ana-Maria Crnogorčević from Barcelona one that really stands out as they try to add experience and title-winning knowhow to their ranks, and there is no doubt that they will be a team to watch in 2023/2024 and that their absence from the top three positions could prove to be short-lived if they carry on as they have started out.
Read all about it….
Leah Williamson speaks to the UN - this week, England captain Leah Williamson travelled to New York to address the UN General Summit regarding gender stereotypes and added equality for women, both in sport and in wider society. A number of her comments are quoted in this BBC Sport article, which is well worth a read.
Why Chelsea have five goalkeepers in their squad - for many teams, having five goalkeepers would be far too many, given that they are fighting over one position in the squad. Chelsea have loaned out a couple of their stoppers this season, but Charlotte Harpur explains in this piece for The Athletic that there are reasons for them continually adding new names to their goalkeeping unit.
The new Nations League arrives - the next few days sees the inaugural Women’s Nations League launch, with some interesting fixtures taking place around Europe. The format is a complicated one, but Rich Laverty has tried to break down the rules on his own Substack channel, Women’s Football Chronicles.
Lend me your ears….
Midge Purce recalled to USWNT roster | Spain WNT given ultimatum | NWSL weekend recap & playoff predictions - as the title suggests, the latest episode of the CBS Attacking Third podcast has a lot of content in it, looking at plenty of talking points over the last week, and it also includes a really good conversation with Chicago Red Stars and Canada player Bianca St. Georges, which is well worth a listen.
That’s all for now - back next week!!