Key events
3 min: Kerr clatters Leon after a long ball from the back gives her something to chase. Good aggression shown by the Blues so far.
2 min: Barca with all the ball but a strong press from Chelsea. Mjelde comes off her line and upends Geyse.
34 seconds: Last time these two teams played Barca scored after just 33 seconds. So it’s a better start so far for Chelsea at least.
PEEEEEP! It’s the English champions in royal blue and the Spanish champions in gold. It doesn’t get bigger than this!
As is now customary, the players take the knee before kick off.
Scratch that. The gremlins have been chased away. We’ve got the right game on our screens.
Inexplicably, just as the players were filing out if the tunnel, the DAZN stream has cut to Fulham v Leeds in the Premier League.
“How do you beat Barcelona?” It’s a question almost without an answer. I said almost, because a tested method involved a frenetic press and keeping tight when they inevitably boss the ball. But those are much easier to type from my couch than it is to pull off on the pitch.
We’re almost there. Just seven minutes to kick off at a sun bathed Stamford Bridge that looks an absolute picture.
Does he have a point?
A little something to get you in the mood:
Chelsea are without Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan this afternoon.
A big game then for Maren Mjelde in the heart of that defence.
The next article from Suzanne Wrack is my favourite on the site right now. I was calling the MBM during Manchester United’s 1-0 over Arsenal and I was deeply saddened by the sight of Leah Williamson hobbling off with a suspected ACL tear.
So it proved and now the England captain is out of the World Cup. No matter who you support it is deeply upsetting knowing that a player in her prime will miss out on the biggest event the game has to offer.
Suzy captures all the emotions better than anyone:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/21/williamsons-woe-could-be-difference-between-winning-the-world-cup-or-not
There are a couple of pieces by Suzanne Wrack that deserve their place on the “must read” list.
Let’s start with her analysis on the two teams representing England in the last four of the Champions League. Two teams that have dominated the Women’s Super League for the last six years but have both struggled to leave their mark on Europe’s top stage.
Chelsea were vanquished finalists two years ago. Arsenal lifted the title in 2007 but have not been back at to the showpiece event since then. Can either reach the promised land?
It’s fair to say that Chelsea’s players haven’t forgotten the football lesson they were handed two years ago. For Sophie Ingle, a player who has been at the forefront of so many positive narratives for the women’s game in Wales, that humbling in Gothenburg is still at the forefront of her mind.
Read her interview with Louise Taylor:
Two of England’s brightest stars shine for Barca
There is danger throughout this Barca team but it’s hard to take your eyes off the two players starting at right back and centre midfield.
Keira Walsh running the show and Lucy Bronze bombing down the flank will delight those with an affinity for the Lionesses, but Hayes and her Blues will want to tame them this afternoon.
Barcelona: Panos, Bronze, Paredes, Leon Cebrian, Rolfo, Bonmati, Walsh, Guijarro Gutierrez, Hansem Paralluelo, da Silva Ferreira.
Substitutes: Codina, Fernandez Velasco, Pina, Crnogorcevic, Torrejon, Caldentey Oliver, Coll Lluch, Vilamala, Oshoala, Rabano, Engen, Lopez Serrano.
No James but potent attacking options for Chelsea
Perhaps conscious of the disastrous start in the final two years ago, Hayes has opted for a slightly more defensively minded starting XI. Still, take a look at that front three. There are plenty of goals lurking in this team.
Chelsea 4-3-3: Berger, Perisset, Mjelde, Eriksson (c), Carter, Cuthbert, Leupolz, Reiten, Charles, Kerry, Cankovic.
Substitutes: Musovic, Ingle, James, Fleming, Rytting Kaneryd, Harder, Abdullina, Orman.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Revenge is not just a dish best served cold. Sometimes it’s even tastier when it’s piping hot. And for Chelsea, the memories of their 4-0 humbling two years ago still feel as fresh as a recently baked cruffin.
Back then in Gothenburg, a four goal blitz in 36 minutes, starting with a calamitous own goal after 33 seconds, demonstrated a gulf in class between England’s best and the Blaugranes of Barcelona. But, as the fates would have it, Emma Hayes has an opportunity to prove that the gap has been bridged.
This first leg at Stamford Bridge is a must-win affair for the Blues. Barca have been near unbeatable this season. They’ve recorded 25 wins from as many league games and haven’s lost a Liga F match in 59 encounters. On their own patch, they’re arguably the best team on the planet.
However, there have been signs of weakness in Europe and Bayern Munich proved their fallibility with a 3-1 triumph in the group stage.
The Germans pressed their vaunted Spanish opponents with a zeal that must be matched by Hayes’ team. Do that, and get the business done in front of goal, and this two course revenge meal might be one to savour for treble chasing Chelsea.
My name is Daniel. I’m really excited to be here with you. If you’d like to drop a line or two please send them my way via email or Twitter.
Kick-off at 12:30 BST. Teams and other bits to come.
