FROM CAMP NOU – Emma Hayes knew it was always going to take something miraculous for Chelsea to topple Barcelona at a roaring Camp Nou and, despite best efforts, fell victim to what can only be described as the greatness of the Catalans.
Being such an underdog was not something Chelsea are particularly used to, especially facing off against a team who had recorded 79 consecutive wins at home. And despite the prospective return of Alexia Putellas, left to to wait another day, Barcelona’s sheer depth, control and dominance was too much for Chelsea to grapple with and they bowed out of the Champions League race.
Early on and almost like a repeat of the first leg, Caroline Graham Hansen broke down Chelsea’s back-line eight minutes in and had the ball in the back of the net. But a nervy handball from the Norwegian seconds earlier ruled the goal out.
A glaring mismatch between Magdalena Eriksson and the forementioned Graham Hansen became evident as the skipper struggled to keep up with the Barcelona winger’s pace as she sped down the right flank numerous times.
Anytime Barcelona began racing away, the 72,262 fans erupted. Having lost only once all season across all competitions, Camp Nou’s stage was set to seal a Champions League final spot again. Both sides tussled for the opener in what was Chelsea’s biggest game of the campaign so far.
Speaking ahead of the first leg, Hayes said that Chelsea were going to ‘suffer’ at the hands of the 2021 Champions League winners. With her side moving to a back five more regularly, it was clear Chelsea were beginning to struggle as the Barcelona forwards cut inside far too easily.
The small amount of possession Chelsea managed to obtain was quickly and consistently stripped away from them as they tied themselves up in knots trying to play out from the back. Through balls ending up in open space and couldn’t convert any chances into something plausible.
After a frustrating 63 minutes, the inevitable deadlock was broken in the blink of an eye as Chelsea’s attempt at going forward was rerouted, allowing Aitana Bonmati to race away, playing in Graham Hansen, the thorn in Chelsea’s side in both ties, to slot it past Ann-Katrin Berger.
The goal coming from Chelsea’s attempt at playing forward highlights major issues that the Blues have had during an injury crisis costing them key centre-backs Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan, as well as Fran Kirby, who still has a question mark over her return looming over her…
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