An absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises an absorbent material, said absorbent material comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymers, and wherein said absorbent material is contained within at least one core wrap substrate enclosing said absorbent material therein, wherein the absorbent core further comprises an intermediate layer positioned between a top layer of said core wrap and a bottom layer of said core wrap such that said absorbent material is disposed between said top layer and said intermediate layer and between said bottom layer and said intermediate layer, wherein at least the absorbent material comprised between said intermediate layer and said bottom layer comprises a mixture of cellulose fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles and wherein said top layer, said bottom layer, and said intermediate layer are joined together to form one or more channel forming areas substantially free of said absorbent material, wherein the intermediate layer has a width, extending along an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (y) of the absorbent core, that is less than a width of the top and/or bottom layers (7,8) of the core wrap, and wherein the top layer is directly joined to the bottom layer at one or more positions being outboard of the intermediate layer, and characterized in that the intermediate layer comprises at least one free end that is not joined to the top layer and/or bottom layer, wherein the intermediate layer is selected from the group consisting of a nonwoven, film, and combinations thereof, and wherein the top layer, the bottom layer, and the intermediate layer are joined together by one or more adhesives and/or by one or more mechanical bonds selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, and combinations thereof. a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises an absorbent material, said absorbent material comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymers, and wherein said absorbent material is contained within at least one core wrap substrate enclosing said absorbent material therein, wherein the absorbent core further comprises an intermediate layer positioned between a top layer of said core wrap and a bottom layer of said core wrap such that said absorbent material is disposed between said top layer and said intermediate layer and between said bottom layer and said intermediate layer, wherein at least the absorbent material comprised between said intermediate layer and said bottom layer comprises a mixture of cellulose fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles and wherein said top layer, said bottom layer, and said intermediate layer are joined together to form one or more channel forming areas substantially free of said absorbent material, wherein the intermediate layer has a width, extending along an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (y) of the absorbent core, that is less than a width of the top and/or bottom layers (7,8) of the core wrap, and wherein the top layer is directly joined to the bottom layer at one or more positions being outboard of the intermediate layer, and characterized in that the intermediate layer comprises at least one free end that is not joined to the top layer and/or bottom layer, wherein the intermediate layer is selected from the group consisting of a nonwoven, film, and combinations thereof, and wherein the top layer, the bottom layer, and the intermediate layer are joined together by one or more adhesives and/or by one or more mechanical bonds selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, and combinations thereof.