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Chelsea Women’s Champions League preview: Who are the threats?

By Matthew Hancock-Bruce

KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Chelsea Head Manager Emma Hayes celebrates the win with her coaching staff during the Second Leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League Semi Final match between Chelsea FC and Bayern Munich at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Chelsea Head Manager Emma Hayes celebrates the win with her coaching staff during the Second Leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League Semi Final match between Chelsea FC and Bayern Munich at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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I’m not sure any of us saw this coming but for the first time in history, a team will feature in both the men’s and women’s Champions League finals in the same season and that team is Chelsea. For fans of Emma Hayes’ side this is perhaps no surprise given their lavish attack and there’s every reason to believe at least one European trophy will be coming home to the Bridge this summer.

In their first Champions League final, Chelsea will face Barcelona, who are fresh from their own domestic league success. They are two of the most exciting teams in the world. This Sunday’s clash in Gothenburg has all the ingredients to be an absolute classic. Here’s everything you need to know.

The road to the final

The opposition

The coach

Leading Barcelona into their second final in three years is Lluis Cortes. Cortes began his coaching career with the Catalan Women youth teams before becoming the senior side’s head coach in 2014. He joined Barcelona in 2017 initially as an analyst before becoming an assistant coach, eventually taking the top dog position in January 2019 after former manager Fran Sanchez was given the boot midseason.  Within months Cortes had led the Blaugranes to their first ever Champions League final and in his first full season in charge Barcelona claimed a first ever domestic league title.

The key players

Jennifer Hermoso

Undoubtedly the opposition player to watch this weekend is Jennifer Hermoso. You know how Chelsea have received a lot of praise this season for their threat in front of goal? Well Barcelona is even more dangerous. They’ve scored 128 goals in the league so far. 128. Amazingly they still have eight games to play. The key figure, Hermoso, has 21 goals domestically and a further six in Europe, making her joint top scorer with Chelsea’s Fran Kirby. This proficiency is nothing new, she has finished top scorer in the Primera Division four times in her time with Barcelona and brief spell with Atletico Madrid. She is also the Spanish national team’s all time top scorer with 42 goals.

Alexia Putelllas

There is an abundance of attacking talent I could name on this list. Top assist provider Caroline Hansen and 15-goal Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala jump out however I’m opting for Spanish national team captain Alexia Putellas. Putellas has 16 goals herself in the league and is one of the most experienced players in the side having initially joined La Masia in 2005 aged 11 and has worn the armband on a number of occasions this season when captain Vicky Losada has been out of the starting 11. Still only 27 Putellas looks set to lead club and country for years to come and her influence in the final will be immeasurable.

Mapi Leon

It would be unfair to say Barcelona are a one-trick pony, they can defend pretty tremendously as well. They have conceded just 5 goals in 26 league matches so far and at the heart of their defence is Mapi Leon. Leon made history when she joined the club in 2017, becoming the first paid transfer in Spanish women’s football as she joined from Atletico Madrid. Leon will be without regular centre-back partner Andrea Pereira this Sunday meaning she will face a tough battle to keep out the likes of Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder.

Next. Chelsea: Three things to look for in Leicester City round one. dark

What are you looking for in the big one? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!

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