Treacherous path to Eindhoven: Chelsea Women draw Lyon in quarterfinals of UWCL

Coming off of a convincing triumph over West Ham United, Chelsea Women received their fate in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. With the assistance of former English international Ellen White, UEFA put on a highly anticipated Champions League draw in Nyon on Friday afternoon. Having finished at the top of Group A, Emma Hayes, and CFC earned a second-leg home fixture against one of the other runners-up from the group stage.

Given the luck that Chelsea Women have had for the most part in draws this season, CFC drew the defending Champions League winner, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. Sonia Bompastor and Lyon finished second in Group C on 11 points, two points behind Arsenal, having lost to the Gunners 5-0 in the opening match week of the competition.

The eight-time Champions League winners had an uncharacteristic beginning to their European campaign due to the loss of some of their most important players. The absence of Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg and superstar American international Catarina Macario has allowed Paris-Saint Germain to remain on the heels of Lyon in the French top flight. It has not been the same Lyon team in the Champions League of the past, but since the turning of the new year, Bompastor’s side has outscored their opposition 20-0 in all competitions.

Not only did Chelsea Women receive possibly the worst possible quarterfinal matchup of the three that were available, but their journey to Eindhoven has to be one of the toughest of anyone left in the field. If CFC is able to progress past Lyon, it would face off against the winner of AS Roma, and Barcelona.

The Blues have to go through the previous two Champions League winners in order to even clinch a spot in the final in the Netherlands. When Chelsea Women return to action following the international hiatus, the Blues will take on Arsenal in back to back games in domestic cups, both Manchester teams in the WSL, and now Lyon in consecutives weeks in the Champions League.

The last time these two sides faced off was in Portland, Oregon in the preseason during the Women’s International Champions Cup. During that tournament, Lyon managed to overcome a two goal deficit against the Blues where the French side outlasted Chelsea Women in a penalty shootout to advance to the final. Millie Bright’s and Erin Cuthbert’s missed penalties propelled Lyon past the Blues in the first match of the preseason.

While that game did not have much meaning, it was a good measuring stick at the beginning of a season to see where CFC stood against the best Europe had to offer. Hayes made eight substitutions during that match, trying to provide everyone game action ahead of the kick off to the WSL just a few weeks later.

Back in 2019 en route to another title for the most decorated club in women’s football, CFC met up with Wendie Renard and Les Lyonnaises in the semifinals. It was the second time in the Blues’ history they have reached the semifinals of the competition. A goal apiece in the first leg for Amandine Henry, and Delphine Cascarino in southeast France was enough to book Lyon’s trip to the final against Barcelona. The Blues may have come up short four year ago, but there was no short of fight for a team that made a statement that they belong at that level.

If any team is equipped to take on the most prestigious women’s football club in the world, it is this year’s Chelsea team. Hayes added players like Kadeisha Buchanan and Jelena Cankovic over the summer with the ambition of competing at a high level in Europe. Paul Green, and Hayes broke the trend of top players choosing Lyon as Buchanan saw the vision, moving from southeast France to west London after winning the Champions League with OL.

The Blues seek Lyon’s excellence in European football. Having won every other possible trophy domestically, Hayes and the Blues have always had their eyes on reaching the pinnacle of women’s football.

Chelsea’s slow progression deeper and deeper into the competition came to a halt last season, but there seems to be a reinvigorating feeling around the club in 2023. To be the best, you have to beat the best. It is quite a tall task, so buckle up, and grab some popcorn for the month of March because it is going to be one wild ride.