Key events
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In the two earlier kick-offs in this Women’s Champions League, Bayern Munich are drawing 1-1 to Roma and Hacken are drawing 0-0 to Paris FC. I’ll bring you the full-time scores when they drop.
Real Madrid manager Alberto Toril said: “We’re going there to play our game. We are Real Madrid, so we will be trying to win. We want to build on the good vibes. We’ve had a good start to the year and we’ve made improvements on some of the areas we needed to improve. We’re going to go for the win.”
“They will fear nothing,” said Chelsea boss Emma Hayes in the build-up. “There’s nothing more dangerous than playing a team who has nothing to play for. It’s a dangerous place for us if our mentality is to rule them out of the game and it’s something we won’t be doing.”
There are some Conti Cup matches also happening this evening and I thought I’d bring you some really positive news. Arsenal’s Leah Williamson is back! She will feature for the first time since rupturing her ACL prior to the World Cup. Kim Little has also returned.
Chelsea are missing some of their stars for this one through injury. Sam Kerr has been ruled out with an ACL problem and captain Millie Bright has a knee issue. Jessie Fleming isn’t included amid rumours she is leaving the club.
The team news is in! Hosts Chelsea will be led by Erin Cuthbert in the absence of Millie Bright but Lauren James starts from the bench after her heroics last time out at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea: Hampton, Fishel, Carter, Leupolz, Reiten, Lawrence, Kirby, Kaneryd, Charles, Cuthbert, Buchanan.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have former Manchester City player Hayley Raso starting.
Real Madrid: Chavas, Møller, Raso, Caicedo, Oroz, Teresa, Zornoza, Robles, Ivana, Kathellen, Svava
Preamble
Hello and welcome back to the Women’s Champions League after a short break in the group stage matches. Tonight we will be focusing on Chelsea v Real Madrid.
The reverse fixture of this match saw two controversial calls as a Real Madrid penalty arguably should not have been given and a Chelsea winner should not have been ruled offside. But those arguments have been put to long rest and both will be solely concentrated on tonight’s fixture.
Real Madrid were officially eliminated from the competition in December after losing to Paris FC but they won’t be rolling over tonight. They will want to put some pride on their badge after only winning one point so far.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are still in the fight for a knock-out place and a win this evening would all but guarantee a spot in the next round. We will dive into what has been said in the build-up shortly but first the team news, stay tuned …