Three time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati has encountered a significant setback, suffering an injury during a training session with the Spanish National Team. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has officially announced that the star midfielder is projected to be sidelined for a period of two months, which poses challenges for both her national team and her club.
Following their narrow victory against Denmark (1-0) on Friday, La Roja is gearing up to face Germany in the Nations League final on Tuesday. This high-stakes encounter marks a critical test for Sonia Bermudez, the newly appointed coach, who must now confront her first major dilemma: how to navigate the match without Aitana Bonmati, who has rapidly emerged as one of the most prominent figures in women’s football, second only to Alexia Putellas in terms of popularity and contribution to the game.
Upon returning to her club, Barcelona, medical examinations confirmed that Bonmati had sustained a fracture to her fibula, necessitating surgery and an anticipated recovery period of at least three months. This injury complicates matters for FC Barcelona, already grappling with the constraints of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. These constraints have placed pressure on the club’s roster, compelling them to part ways with notable players like Jana Fernandez, and further straining their resources and options on the field.
As a result of her injury, Bonmati is set to miss several crucial matches. She will not be available for the upcoming Champions League fixtures against Benfica and Paris FC in December, which are essential for the club’s aspirations in European competitions. Additionally, Bonmati is likely to miss at least nine fixtures in Liga F, critical in the context of maintaining pace in the league title race. Moreover, her absence might extend to the Copa de la Reina match against Deportivo Alaves scheduled for January 11, further intensifying the challenges faced by her team. Irene Paredes, a close teammate both at the club and national level, has described the impact of Aitana’s absence as “significant,” highlighting just how integral she is to both teams’ success. Bonmati has made considerable contributions this season, with six goals and three assists across fifteen matches, underscoring her value.
Beyond her goal-scoring ability, Aitana Bonmati’s influence on the pitch is profound. She brings a fierce Catalan tenacity to the team, acting as a motivating force who is ever-present in pressing the opposition. Her ongoing commitment and leadership qualities make her a natural leader on the field, regardless of the official captaincy. Bonmati often draws comparisons to her idol, the legendary Andres Iniesta, and those comparisons are well-founded. From her exceptional technical skill to her strategic understanding of the game, she is a dynamic player capable of altering the outcome of matches. While her ability to make late runs into the box can be replicated, the unique vision and leadership she provides are far more challenging to replace.
In the short term, the responsibility of filling Bonmati’s role in midfield may fall to Clara Serrajordi, a promising talent at just 17 years old. Like Bonmati, Serrajordi hails from the prestigious La Masia academy, yet her early stats in front of goal do not yet match Bonmati’s exceptional benchmark. This situation places additional pressure on her fellow teammates to rise to the occasion and help bridge the gap left by Bonmati’s absence. Alternatively, Laia Alexandri could also be considered, even though she typically plays as a centre-back, indicating the potential for a tactical shift to adapt to the current squad’s needs.
For Bermudez, the challenge posed by Germany looms large, especially given the last encounter between the two teams, which ended in a tepid 0-0 draw. In that match, La Roja showcased impressive control of possession yet faltered in penetrating the German defense to secure a goal. In the upcoming match, Putellas, who recently scored against Levante, may need to step up even more significantly, demonstrating her ability to finish chances and lead her team through this tough test. The expectation is high for her to transform possession into tangible scoring opportunities, ultimately influencing the outcome in a match that will not only test her individual capabilities but also the resilience and adaptability of the team as a whole.
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