A substantially planar absorbent core (28) extending in a transversal direction (x) and a longitudinal direction (y), comprising a core wrap (16, 16') enclosing an absorbent material (60), wherein the absorbent material is substantially free of cellulose fibers and forms a pattern of discrete absorbent material areas. The pattern comprises dot-shaped areas (751) and at least one of transversally-orientated areas (752) or longitudinally-orientated areas (754). The absorbent core may also comprise a pair of channel-forming areas (26).
