{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6818801871c041c8cc75b143/68ac73d4de10ce2ec14baa79?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Why Barcelona will start the season with only 17 players","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6818801871c041c8cc75b143/1756132203179-b01e0c69-59de-40be-8b7e-ed602f840327.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>A new season of <strong>Liga F</strong> starts this weekend in Spain; however, the reigning champion <strong>Barcelona</strong> only has 17 players currently registered to play. This summer, the 2024-25 UEFA Women's Champions League runner-up saw six players leave, including the puzzling departure of <strong>Fridolina Rolfo</strong>. Much of this can be attributed to the club's financial situation on the men's side, while the women remain the only profitable team within the organization. </p><p><br></p><p>The Athletic's writers <strong>Pol Ballus</strong> and <strong>Melanie Anzidei</strong> join host <strong>Jillian Sakovits</strong> to explain what's happening with the European giants and how cost-cutting is impacting the future of one of the best teams in the world. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>PLUS: </strong>Get focused with <strong>Full Time's 1-2-3 </strong>of what to watch this Labor Day weekend, from a battle between the two most recent league champions to a return home for the <strong>Washington Spirit</strong> and a look at the Liga F season kickoff in Spain. And, ask yourself, \"How far would you go for love?\"</p><p>_______________</p><p><strong>Referenced on the show:</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6554668/2025/08/15/barcelona-women-liga-f-finance/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">What’s happening at Barcelona?: Only 17 active player contracts and more departures expected</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6486067/2025/07/11/fridolina-rolfo-barcelona-transfer-exit/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">What Fridolina Rolfo’s Barcelona exit says about the club’s financial situation</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6555238/2025/08/15/manchester-united-fridolina-rolfo-free-transfer/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Manchester United sign Fridolina Rolfo following Barcelona departure</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6546292/2025/08/16/marcus-rashford-barcelona-registration-la-liga/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Marcus Rashford, Joan Garcia registered by La Liga in time for Barcelona’s first game</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6580324/2025/08/28/nwsl-summer-window-review-record-transfers/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">NWSL summer window review: Record transfer fee, hidden gems and expansion team building</a></p><p>_______________</p><p>HOST: Jillian Sakovits</p><p>GUESTS: Pol Ballus and Melanie Anzidei </p><p>PRODUCER: Emily Olsen and Tre Hester</p><p>VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin</p><p>_______________</p><p>Get in touch:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:fulltime@theathletic.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠</a></p><p>Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime</p><p>Subscribe to the&nbsp;<strong>Full Time newsletter&nbsp;</strong><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/newsletters/full-time/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠here⁠</a></p><p>Visit the&nbsp;<strong>Yahoo Women's Sports hub</strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠here</a></p>","author_name":"The Athletic"}