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Chelsea host Barcelona for a situation in the Females’s Champions League last as Emma Hayes’s facet rob a one-honest lead into the semi-last 2d leg at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues taken aback the Champions League holders closing week as Erin Cuthbert’s strike earned Chelsea a 1-0 find in Spain. It used to be the first time Barcelona had lost a dwelling game in 5 years, and Chelsea are prepared for Barcelona to acknowledge in entrance of a file crowd for a ladies people’s fixture at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are aiming to find the Champions League for the first time, in what is Hayes’s last season on the membership after 12 years of home dominance. There is a situation in the Bilbao showpiece on the line, and Chelsea would possibly be out for revenge too after defeats to Barcelona in the 2021 last and closing season’s semi-finals.
Note live updates from the Chelsea vs Barcelona beneath, whereas you will have the flexibility to investigate cross-check the Females’s Champions League Semi-Finals for free on DAZN
Chelsea vs Barcelona: Most contemporary produce-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 procure to make a choice: Barcelona have vowed to raise their game and there would possibly be revenge to instruct, but the European champions would possibly be up in opposition to extra than an organised defence and a disciplined unit, given the emotion of Hayes’s last weeks accountable.
The likelihood to at closing find the Champions League heightens the chronicle, in a clash that will have to have noteworthy extra stress and edginess than closing season’s semi-last first leg at Stamford Bridge. Then, the occasion used to be no longer a contest and Chelsea’s passiveness as noteworthy 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 contemporary produce-up
Chelsea can instruct crowning Females’s Champions League victory in the dwelling that Emma Hayes constructed
It used to be all in the thought, it regarded. As Chelsea took to Stamford Bridge for the first time beneath Emma Hayesthe membership’s then-chairman Bruce Buck declared that, in one sense, the “mission has been completed”. There have been beneath 4,000 in attendance as Chelsea had been beaten 3-0 by Wolfsburg, nonetheless the the ancient occasion of Chelsea’s ladies people’s crew playing at Stamford Bridge used to be the encapsulation of Hayes’s vision. “Emma outlined what she wished to present right here,” Buck wrote in the match programme seven years previously. “But I do know Emma will no longer desire the saunter to full right 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 contemporary produce-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 contemporary produce-up
What’s the crew news?
Chelsea captain Millie Brilliant is support in the squad after coming again from a knee ruin, nonetheless it would possibly presumably even be a shock to investigate cross-check her delivery. Chelsea are with out long-length of time absentees Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel, nonetheless Maren Mjelde and Nathalie Bjon are seemingly to be alive to.
Barcelona are with out Mapi Leon whereas Lucy Bronze and Alexia Putellas started the first leg on the bench nonetheless would possibly attain 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 straight forward how to investigate cross-check Females’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 cross-check it?
Jamie Braidwood27 April 2024 09:05
Just appropriate morning
The English champions are aiming to find the Champions League for the first time in what is Hayes’s last season on the membership, and in addition they’ll progress to the Bilbao last on Would perchance well perhaps also simply 25 in the occasion that they steer particular of 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