Aitana returns: 30 minutes for Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Aitana (Barcelona) returned to the pitch against Real Madrid, coming on to play the last half-hour after starting the season working through a painful ankle. As Mundo Deportivo reports, coach Pere Romeu had already said she would get minutes in the second half, and afterward the player said she’s “gaining rhythm little by little” and that she’d “been a long time without competing cleanly.”

The midfielder also acknowledged the adjustment: “I’m used to playing everything, but now my reality is that.” This season she has featured in three matches—each time more recently—logging 12 minutes vs Logroño United, 26 in Rome, and 30 in the Clasico.

Speaking to the Barcelona fans, Aitana said she feels the club’s support and closed by saying she’s been there “a long time” and “wants the Barça” as much as the fans do.