#alexia-putellas

#alexia-putellas

Hansi Flick eyeing a place in Copa del Rey Final - FC Barcelona FC Barcelona face Atlético Madrid this Thursday in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. A top-level clash at what is always a demanding venue: the Metropolitano. Much changed Atlético Madrid since last meeting - FC Barcelona Since the game at Spotify Camp Nou in December, Diego Simeone's side have been active in the transfer market with four new signings and three departures.

Spain finish the job against Sweden, ahead of big test in final There were positive signs on and off the pitch as new Spain coach Sonia Bermúdez oversaw an impressive 5-0 aggregate win against Sweden in her first games in charge. The damage was done in the first leg, when Spain produced an outstanding performance in Malaga. Alexia Putellas and Clàudia Pina both helped themselves to braces as the Bermúdez era kicked off in style with a four-goal victory.

She is just impossible to defend against. She is so good in possession, she's got so much awareness, and she looks like she's playing in slow motion.

Putellas blasted Spain into the lead, picking up the ball after some deft one-touch passing and lashing it into the net in the 22nd minute.

"I am a better Alexia now," she told reporters from Spain's headquarters in Madrid before the team relocates to its base in Lausanne next week.

I always see international tournaments as being like the Champions League: it takes more to win it, Putellas tells FourFourTwo. Everybody is on point, at the maximum and focusing on the details. It'll be a very competitive tournament.

You have to forget what the team has achieved and what you have done as a player to keep future objectives on track. It can be difficult to find that balance.