But on a wet and windy 12:30 kick-off in South London at Charlton Athletic’s stadium, The Valley, you can watch Alexia Putellas in a Lionesses shirt as Captain.
The skipper lined up on the left wing against Charlton, making her third appearance in the WSL.
The Spaniard also created three chances, won 9/19 duels and won both of her attempted tackles against Charlton.
The London Lionesses number 11 was putting balls into the box with the intention of exploiting Isobel GoodwIn’s pace and strength whilst aiming to lead by example as captain.
Putellas, speaking post match referenced her playmaking efforts saying: “I want to also create spaces for my teammates and to score goals”.
Speaking on the fans demands from fans she said: “ I know being Alexia is hard work; I dont complain this makes me a better player.”
From early on, Putellas drifted into pockets of space, inviting Charlton’s ladies to press the former Barcelona midfielder who was constantly progressing the ball forward and recycling possession.
The Spain international primarily occupied the left touchline against Charlton, aiming to link patterns of play with Danielle Van De Donk with the intention of using De Donk’s speed and creativity to break down The Addicks backline.
As the game continued, it was evident that the skipper would be inverting at all times with the intention of creating overloads in midfield alongside Onema Geyoro.
On the 13th minute, after some neat, intricate passing between Daniela Aques and Onema Geyoro,she the ball shifted to Putellas, who danced around the Charlton tackles to slot in behind Isobel Goodwin, who tucked away the opening goal of the game.
This was a sign of things to come, as the Lionesses were rampant with Putellas at the heart of all positive performances by her side.
Eder Maestre’s side dominated the start of the half, cruising into a two-nil lead, only to a Isobel GoodwIn brace in the 15th minute.
Charlton did fight back through a thunderous strike from Hutton from 25 yards, crashing off the bar to halve the London Lionesses’ lead.
The Lionesses did hit back before the half ended as Jana Fernandez nodded in a header – marking her new contract with a goal.
In the second half, Putellas moved into a deeper role focusing on recycling the ball and containing the Charlton press whilst trying to utilise her team’s width.
On the 62nd minute, Isobel Goodwin was replaced by Nicole Anyomni, who later got herself onto the scoreboard after tapping in a fourth in the 76th minute.
As the full-time whistle blew, I personally gave my player of the match to guess who: the skipper, the former Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.
It was a close call between her and Isobel Goodwin due to her brace.
But the Spaniard proved that class doesn’t rely on pace, power, or strength; it is permanent, and it is followed by greatness.
