How Barcelona's 'Barca way' endures amid high-profile summer exits
Barcelona will welcome Arsenal to the Nou Camp on Thursday (17:45 GMT) in the Women's Champions League after the reigning champions won all three league-phase matches, scoring 19 goals. Despite several high-profile departures over the summer, Barcelona remain favourites to continue their European domination.
Barcelona's squad looks markedly different to the team Arsenal beat in the 2025 Women's Champions League final, yet the challenge remains substantial; three-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas was among the big-name exits. When Putellas left Barcelona in the summer to join London City Lionesses she was followed to Bromley by defender Mapi Leon, while full-back Ona Batlle joined Arsenal and Salma Paralluelo swapped Barcelona for European rivals Lyon, with all four having finished their time at the club after a historic quadruple that included a fourth Champions League last season. Two seasons ago, Arsenal stunned Barcelona in the Women's Champions League final less than five months after Renee Slegers was named permanent manager; the Gunners have since endured mixed domestic form, sitting sixth in the Women's Super League after a five-game winless run that ended in October, but have started their European campaign well and sit fifth in their group with seven points from three matches.
Esmee Brugts, who has made more than 100 appearances for Barcelona after joining in 2023, said the squad is adapting to change. "Every season is different. There are always changes but we know that's football," Brugts told BBC Sport. "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."
Club officials, coaches and players point to a consistent playing identity as the foundation for continuity. Stars such as three-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati were developed at the club's famous La Masia youth academy, situated next to the Estadi Johan Cruyff, which is named after one of Barca's greatest footballers, and that pathway produces players schooled to swap positions and execute a shared style. "It's difficult to explain because it's so many small things. It's doing the simple things good," Brugts said. "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."
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers acknowledged Barcelona's continuity on and off the ball. Slegers said Barcelona have "a really strong identity" and she does not believe this changes when new players come into the side. "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," she added. Barcelona's domestic form underlines that point: the side beat rivals Real Madrid 7-0 last month in Liga F and have won four of the past six Women's Champions League titles.
Barcelona have set their sights on defending the collection of trophies won last season and are integrating younger players into their squad while maintaining those ambitions. Brugts said they are "really building" their identity with new players in the squad and believe there are "no limits" to what they can produce. Youngsters such as midfielder Clara Serrajordi, 18, defender Renee van Asten, 20, and forward Vicky Lopez, 20, have provided additional depth; Brugts added: "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."
Barcelona will host Arsenal at the Nou Camp on Thursday (17:45 GMT) in the Women's Champions League.
