Classy Chelsea put Barca in shade
THIS will have to go down as one of the greatest Chelsea performances during Emma Hayes’s tenure.
One for the ages, one for the history books — and possibly one that helps them reach the Champions League final at the expense of the holders.
Barcelona had not lost at home since February 13, 2019. They had not lost all season. Their record in the Spanish league stands at 96 goals scored and just six conceded.
Chelsea needed a perfect performance to have a chance. Hayes’s players gave her that and more. She has come under fire in recent weeks after defeats by Arsenal and Manchester United, but this was a tactical masterclass.
From captain Erin Cuthbert, who scored the only goal of the game, to Jess Carter in defence to Sjoeke Nusken and Mayra Ramirez, every single Chelsea player worked tirelessly for 90 minutes plus the nine added on at the end of the second half.
Barca were stunned. But they will also know that this tie is far from over. With the second leg to come in London on Saturday, Hayes was keen to play down yesterday’s result. ‘It’s the halfway point and we all know Barcelona didn’t have their best game today, so we expect something at the next level from them at Stamford Bridge,’ she said. ‘We know Barcelona are the best team in Europe. We know everything has to be perfect for you to get close to winning a game of football [against them].’
Chelsea limited Barca to halfchances in the first half and five minutes before half-time their efforts were rewarded.
It was a great team move as Ramirez held up the ball on the left before laying it back to Melanie Leupolz, who played a first-time pass into Nusken.
The midfielder did brilliantly to turn and hold off a challenge before teeing up Cuthbert on the edge of the box. She took two touches to go past Ingrid Engen before firing a superb strike into the top right corner.
Barca were awarded a penalty in the second half after Kadeisha Buchanan blocked Patricia Guijarro’s shot with her arm.
Referee Stephanie Frappart was sent to review the incident on the VAR monitor and, as replays showed Salma Paralluelo had interfered from an offside position, the decision was overturned.