A substantially planar absorbent core (28) extending in a transversal direction (x) and a longitudinal direction (y), and comprising a core wrap (16, 16') enclosing an absorbent material (60) substantially free of cellulose fibers, the absorbent material forming a pattern of discrete absorbent material areas. The pattern comprises transversally-orientated areas (752) and longitudinally-orientated areas (754). The absorbent core may further comprise at least two longitudinally-orientated channel-forming areas (26).
