Atlético Women gear up for league opener against Espanyol | OneFootball

With Atlético Femenino in full reconstruction and Carmen Menayo ready after receiving her medical clearance, the red-and-white team is looking to kick off the season with strength. The debut against Espanyol will be the first test to prove that the mix of youth, experience, and competitive spirit could be the formula to fight for European spots and aim to go far this season in all competitions.

The red-and-whites have had an inconsistent preseason, marked by important absences such as Ajibade, and painful defeats against Inter Milan (5-0) and Como (1-0). However, they also left a good impression with two wins in four matches, against Newcastle and Benfica, which helped boost confidence during a chaotic summer.

With less than four days to go before the league debut, Víctor Martín's team is intensifying its preparations. The red-and-white squad continues training before traveling to Barcelona for the Espanyol-Atlético Femenino match, aiming to avoid a poor start like the one suffered by the men's first team. During the past week, the players have alternated between gym sessions and ball work, fine-tuning details ahead of the opener. Among the new faces is Júlia Bartel, the latest addition to the squad and expected to play a key role in midfield.

Menayo, the most anticipated ‘signing’

The most exciting news for Atlético is the return of Carmen Menayo, who has received medical clearance after more than a year recovering from a serious knee injury suffered in June 2024. With a decade at the club and over 200 matches played, Menayo is one of the great symbols of Atleti Femenino. Her return to the pitch, which already took place in the Trofeo Ciudad de Alcalá against Benfica, has been enthusiastically celebrated by teammates and fans, who see her as a true luxury signing.

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