Key events
Kick-off! Chelsea 0-0 Paris FC
So here we go! Can Chelsea keep their unbeaten run this season intact? Or can Paris FC continue their run of upsets in the competition? We will soon find out.
The players are out at Stamford Bridge and the encounter is about to begin. What a match this should be!
Have you been reading our women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts? The latest edition sees Jess King speak about her experiences in the sport, have a read:
Here is what Chelsea have said about capping the amount of fans at the game this evening: “We do appreciate that midweek evening matches can be challenging for some fans to attend, and in order to maintain the club’s commitment to the sustainable growth of women’s football, Stamford Bridge will have a reduced seating capacity of 5,000 for Chelsea v Paris FC. This decision ensures the match is financially sustainable and allows us to open our stands in a way that creates the best atmosphere and experience for supporters. Depending on sales forecast for further group stage fixtures, this cap may be removed and will be communicated to ticketholders accordingly.”
Hacken have pulled off a comeback and beaten Real Madrid 2-1, while Bayern have closed out their 1-0 win over PSG in the earlier kick-offs.
I didn’t delve into snack chat yesterday so I thought I would bring it into today’s live, I have chosen a solid option with some biscuits. What is your snack of choice? Email me and let me know!
Blues boss Emma Hayes speaks highly of her players and one star who has had praise in the media this week is Niamh Charles, Hayes said: “I think she’s been in this place for quite some time – maybe February and March of last year. I don’t think she’s looked back since then. I always intend to get the best out of her strengths but she’s in a great place and her form is all coming together. She deserves a lot of credit for the work she’s done. It’s all been Niamh. She’s a top professional and she’s a role model for many to look up to with what you can do with hard work and application.”
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr – who announced her engagement to USWNT star Kristie Mewis this week – has said the team are not underestimating their opposition: “They are riding a wave at the moment – that can be dangerous. You saw with the results against Wolfsburg and Arsenal – to beat two really good teams over both legs – it shows they are an amazing team. You can’t take any team lightly in the Champions League.”
Here is a round-up of the WCL action that took place yesterday, including a comeback from defending champions Barcelona:
There are three other WCL matches happening today. Two have already kicked off with Bayern Munich leading PSG 1-0 and Hacken and Real Madrid drawing 1-1. The other match, Roma v Ajax, kicks off at 8pm GMT. I will keep you up to date with those scores as the evening unfolds.
Paris FC manager Sandrine Soubeyrand has named Alsu Abdullina in her matchday squad, the defender is currently on loan to the French club from Chelsea and starts from the bench.
The team news is in! Chelsea will not have captain Millie Bright as she does not make the matchday squad. Sam Kerr will have the skipper duties for the evening.
Chelsea: Berger, Nusken, Carter, James, Lawrence, Fleming, Kaneryd, Kerr, Charles, Cuthbert, Buchanan
Paris FC, meanwhile, have named a strong team including last week’s goalscorer Julie Dufour.
Paris FC: Nnadozie, Bogaert, Greboval, Sissoko, Soyer, Corboz, Korosec, Thiney, Dufour, Mateo, Bourdieu
Preamble
Hello and welcome back to the Women’s Champions League! Tonight we have a juicy fixture between Chelsea and Paris FC.
The French club have already knocked two previous winners out of the tournament. In the qualifying rounds they faced Arsenal and Wolfsburg, beating both to reach the group stage. However, they have shown they are beatable after falling to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hacken in the first round.
Chelsea, meanwhile, recorded a draw in their first WCL group stage match against Real Madrid. The result was contentious as Real scored a controversial penalty and Chelsea had their final goal chalked off for offside, the WSL holders will be looking for their first European win of the season tonight.
The Blues will be doing so at Stanford Bridge, albeit in front of a limited crowd. Chelsea only put 5,000 tickets on sale – more on this story shortly.
Team news will be dropping soon so stay tuned for updates. The biggest story to watch out for is if Chelsea captain Millie Bright is involved, manager Emma Hayes had said she is in doubt for the game in the build-up. Kick-off coming at 8pm GMT.
