Barca Women brace for Chelsea challenge
DOMINANT European champions Barcelona aim to keep their quadruple quest on track when they face Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals today.
Jonatan Giraldez’s side, who lifted the trophy for the second time last season, host the Blues in the first-leg clash at the Olympic Stadium on the city’s Montjuic hill.
They met at the same stage last season and Barcelona ousted Chelsea 2-1 on aggregate in a tight battle, although the Catalans also smashed the English side 4-0 in the 2021 final.
With the Spanish Super Cup pocketed, a Copa de la Reina final place booked and a luxurious 12-point lead in Liga F, Barcelona want to carve out a head start on Chelsea before the return at Stamford Bridge next week.
Giraldez is departing at the end of the season to take over American NWSL side Washington Spirit and his players hope to see him go out on a high.
“I am sure the girls will want to win trophies for him so he can leave on a really positive note,” Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh told reporters. “He has had a massive impact here at Barca, everyone really likes playing for him and hopefully we can get the job done.”
Chelsea coach Emma Hayes is also heading to the United States, to take over the women’s national team.
Her team’s hopes of sending her off in style have crumbled in recent weeks, with FA Cup elimination and defeat in the League Cup final. “They won’t be thinking about that, and we won’t,” added Walsh. “It’s the Champions League, so everyone comes in to it with a different mindset.”
With Ballon d’Or winners Aitana
Bonmati and Alexia Putellas driving forces, the Catalans have reached six consecutive Champions League semi-finals.
Chelsea will be without injured striker Sam Kerr, but boast a wealth of talented players including Lauren James and Guro Reiten.
The Blues lead the Women’s Super League on goal difference from Manchester City after easing to victory against Aston Villa midweek with four games to go in the title race.
Whoever wins between Barcelona and Chelsea will face French opposition in the final in Bilbao at the end of May, as Lyon take on domestic foes Paris Saint-Germain in the other last-four tie.
Lyon, who lost in the quarter-finals on penalties to Chelsea last season, are targeting a record-extending ninth Champions League title. |