Chelsea Women are preparing to face Barcelona in a crucial match that holds significant implications. The statistics suggest that Chelsea’s past struggles against Barcelona may continue, adding pressure to their upcoming encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Recent Performance
Chelsea had a strong run in the previous season, achieving a treble under Sonia Bompastor’s leadership. Notably, they completed a flawless Women’s Super League (WSL) season, going undefeated across 22 matches. However, their performance has dipped this season, with three draws in their first nine league games.
Bompastor expressed concerns during a pre-match conference, stating, “We are not where we want to be. We always want to be at the top.” She emphasized the need for the team to convert their intentions into successful actions, creating opportunities and capitalizing on them.
Barcelona’s Dominance
Despite a surprising loss to Real Sociedad on November 2, Barcelona has maintained a dominant form, winning the majority of their matches. They kicked off their Champions League journey with an impressive 7-1 victory over Bayern Munich. In Liga F, they have scored 51 goals in just 11 games while conceding only two, positioning them six points clear at the top.
Upcoming Clash at Stamford Bridge
Bompastor anticipates a challenging match against Barcelona, noting that opportunities may be few. “When you play a Champions League game at Stamford Bridge, the motivation is high,” she remarked.
Concerns Over Barcelona’s Squad
While there were worries regarding Barcelona’s squad depth due to summer departures, the team has proved resilient. Currently, ten players from their 19-woman roster are in the final year of their contracts. This includes prominent figures such as Cata Coll, Mapi Leon, Alexia Putellas, and Caroline Graham Hansen.
Keys to Chelsea’s Success
The last time Chelsea managed to defeat Barcelona was 18 months ago, largely due to a key performance from Erin Cuthbert. She recalled their aggressive strategy, emphasizing teamwork and high pressure on the ball. “We spooked them a little bit, and I think they found it difficult to break us down that day,” Cuthbert noted.
To secure a crucial win over Barcelona, Chelsea must push their limits and exhibit determination throughout the match.
