Chelsea vs Barcelona LIVE: Women’s Champions League team news and line-ups at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs Barcelona: Most recent match-up

And so that you simply can the arrival of Barcelona for the 2d time in as many seasons. Chelsea are prepared for a response after Barcelona had been taken aback, humbled and suffered their first defeat of the season in the first leg closing week. Hayes’s facet completed their defensive gameplan to perfection and Erin Cuthbert’s honest secured a essential find on the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.

There is a point to prove: Barcelona have vowed to raise their game and there will be revenge to seek, but the European champions will be up against more than an organised defence and a disciplined unit, given the emotion of Hayes’s last weeks in charge.

The chance to finally win the Champions League heightens the narrative, in a clash that will have to have considerably more pressure and tension than last season’s semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge. Then, the occasion was not a contest and Chelsea’s passivity was as notable as Barcelona’s dominance meant the fixture struggled to live up to its billing.

That Barcelona’s return is available in the 2d leg – and with Chelsea having a result in defend – requires a opposed atmosphere to gasoline the evening and benefit Hayes’s facet over the line. Closing season’s leisurely comeback and quarter-last victory over holders Lyon would possibly be their inspiration.

Jamie Braidwood27 April 2024 11:00

Chelsea vs Barcelona: Most recent build-up

Chelsea can secure crowning Women’s Champions League victory in the home that Emma Hayes built

It used to be all in the thought, it seemed. As Chelsea took to Stamford Bridge for the first time under Emma Hayes, the club’s then-chairman Bruce Buck declared that, in one sense, the “mission has been completed”. There were fewer than 4,000 in attendance as Chelsea had been beaten 3-0 by Wolfsburg, but the historic occasion of Chelsea’s women’s team playing at Stamford Bridge was the encapsulation of Hayes’s vision. “Emma outlined what she wished to present here,” Buck wrote in the match programme seven years previously. “But I know Emma will not want the journey to end here.” Nor did it.

But now there would possibly be an dwell, of kinds, as Chelsea return to the dwelling that Hayes constructed for the 2d leg of their Females’s Champions League semi-last in opposition to Barcelona. Hayes’s closing match at Stamford Bridge would possibly no longer have been scripted better: with a slim 1-0 result in provide protection to in opposition to the ideal crew on this planet, the chance to knock out the holders and attain the Bilbao last, and the ideal ever attendance for a ladies people’s game at Stamford Bridge. The pursuit of a essential Champions League title and the dream dwell to Hayes’s last season at Chelsea has led to the possibility of a essential promote-out in the membership’s historical previous.

Jamie Braidwood27 April 2024 10:15

Chelsea vs Barcelona: Most recent build-up

Closing day out

As the ball fell to Alexia Putellas, four yards out and in the ninth minute of additional time on the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, there used to be already ample proof to notify that this used to be a day for the sudden. In any tons of game, Putellas would have scored and Barcelona would have stumbled on a technique through – as a replace, the 2-time Ballon d’Or winner skewed her shot and the Females’s Champions League holders suffered their first dwelling defeat in 5 years. Vital extra remarkably, as Putellas sliced large, a crew who had scored 164 targets in all competitions this season had been but to land a shot heading in the appropriate path.

Nor would they. By hook or by crook, Chelsea and Emma Hayes produced the unthinkable. The English champions looked as if it would outlive and take care of in the tienonetheless Erin Cuthbert’s honest and a essential-ever victory in opposition to the all-conquering Barcelona ensures Chelsea will rob a 1-0 lead support to Stamford Bridge for subsequent week’s semi-last 2d leg. Steer particular of defeat there, and Hayes will dwell her 12-year Chelsea reign in Bilbao and with a last shot on the handiest trophy that has eluded her.

Jamie Braidwood27 April 2024 09:30

Chelsea vs Barcelona: Most recent build-up

What’s the crew news?

Chelsea captain Millie Bright is back in the squad after returning from a knee injury, although it may come as a surprise to see her selection. Chelsea are without long-term absentees Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel, but Maren Mjelde and Nathalie Bjon are expected to feature.

Barcelona are without Mapi Leon while Lucy Bronze and Alexia Putellas started the Putellas started the first leg on the bench but could come into the line-up.

Predicted line-ups

Chelsea: Hampton; Lawrence, Carter, Buchanan, Charles; Cuthbert, Leupolz; Rytting Kaneryd, Nusken, James; Ramirez

Barcelona: Cata Coll; Bronze, Paredes, Engen, Rolfo; Bonmati, Walsh, Patri; Graham Hansen, Paralluelo, Caldentey

Jamie Braidwood27 April 2024 09:10

Is Chelsea vs Barcelona on TV? Channel, kick-off time and straightforward how to watch Women’s Champions League

When is Chelsea vs Barcelona?

The match will kick off at 5:30pm BST on Saturday 27 April at Stamford Bridge, London.

How can I investigate and cross-check it?

Jamie Braidwood27 April 2024 09:05

Just appropriate morning

The English champions are aiming to win the Champions League for the first time in what is Hayes’s last season with the club, and they will also progress to the Bilbao final on May 25 if they avoid defeat.

Right here’s all the pieces it is a must have to grab earlier than the Females’s Champions League semi-last

Jamie Braidwood27 April 2024 09:00