Real Madrid held to draw as Spanish media cite Arsenal distraction

Real Madrid Women could only draw against Deportivo Abanca, with Spanish media suggesting their focus was already on their Champions League clash with Arsenal.

Madrid leaves homework undone ahead of Arsenal Olga saves a point against the Depor AS (Andalucía)16 Mar 2025 Olga, shooting the penalty with which Madrid equalized. REAL MADRID Misa; Shei García, Inês Pereira; P. Novo, Antonia, Méndez Artero (E. Vázquez, (Lakrar, 46’), Yasmim; 94’), Raquel García, Irune Dorado (Olga, Vera Martínez, Olaya; 59’), Angeldahl (Toletti, Ainhoa Marín (Hmirova, 46’); Eva Navarro (Linda 87’), Paula Gutiérrez, C., 46’), Moller (A. Lucía Martínez, Bárbara Redondo, 74’), Athenea; (Lara, 87'); and Millene and Carla Camacho. Cabral (Bennett, 72’). GOALS. 0-1 (23’): Olaya, from a penalty kick. 1-1 (53’): Camacho. 1-2 (62’): Antonia, p.p. 2-2 (82’): Olga, from penalty. REFEREE. Sánchez Miguel (Catalonia). He cautioned Antonia (23’), Lucía M. (45’), Irune (57’) and Paula G. (76’). Real Madrid had an intrusive thought and dropped two points in their pursuit of Barcelona. Las Blancas, with their minds set on Arsenal (Tuesday, 18:45), could only score a draw against a team that benefited from a lack of local concentration. Antonia committed a penalty, which Olaya converted, and it was scored on her own goal, while Carla Camacho and Olga, also from eleven meters, left the contest in a draw. Toril only lined up five of the players who started against Barça and Madrid noticed it. Despite the fact that the young Irune Dorado led the midfield with character, Deportivo found themselves with a penalty for a mutual grab of Antonia and Millene that Sánchez Miguel pointed out without much doubt. Olaya, on loan from the Blanco club, took the responsibility and did not miss, forcing Las Blancas to rush for the draw. They found him after the triple change at half-time, with Toletti, Linda and Lakrar on the field. The French midfielder centered a foul that Carla Camacho finished off with a header into the net. Madrid was only one goal away from being able to think about Arsenal, but he scored it in the wrong goal. Novo pulled fe down the right and put a ball that Antonia cleared to beat Misa. Olga, after a penalty forced by Linda that left doubts, made the equalizer and left Madrid's duties half done before the Champions League quarters. Mistakes Antonia commits a penalty and scores an own goal — Madrid leaves homework undone ahead of Arsenal. Olga saves a point against Depor. AS 16 March 2025

Real Madrid Women dropped crucial points in their pursuit of Barcelona, managing only a 2-2 draw against Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday, as Spanish media suggested their minds were already on Arsenal ahead of their Champions League quarter-final.

With Tuesday’s showdown against the Gunners looming, Madrid manager Alberto Toril fielded a rotated lineup, making six changes from their recent Clásico against Barcelona. The lack of cohesion was evident, with Madrid twice falling behind and needing two penalties to salvage a draw.

Young midfielder Irune Dorado showed glimpses of promise, but Antonia Silva had a night to forget, conceding an early penalty and later scoring an own goal that nearly cost Madrid the match. Carla Camacho and Olga, both from the penalty spot, rescued a point for Las Blancas, but the performance raised concerns ahead of their trip to North London.

With Madrid now trailing Barcelona by seven points in the Primera División, all focus shifts to their crucial European clash with Arsenal, where another lapse in concentration could prove fatal.

Fingers crossed!