Chelsea Women v Barcelona, UWCL semifinal first leg preview

Barcelona, like Lyon are the cream of the crop in women’s European football. In 25 matches so far during this domestic campaign, Jonatan Giraldez’s side has scored an astounding 105 goals, allowing just five as it has created a 13-point gap at the top of Liga F. The team is coming off a 4-0 win over rivals Atletico Madrid as the 25-year-old Spanish international Aitana Bonmati netted two goals. While people will argue the lack of competition that they face domestically, Barca has been persistent in the Champions League.

Other than the shocking defeat to Bayern Munich on the road in match week four of the group stage, the Spanish side has outscored its opponents 34 to four during its run to the club’s fifth straight Champions League semifinal. Roma held the defending Liga F champions to one goal on their home turf, coming back to the Camp Nou brought a new energy to a team that knew it needed to be more clinical than the first leg.

Heading off to Spain with some sort of advantage is the first step to achieving what might be considered right now as improbable.

Giraldez’s side is by far the most relentless in football, and behind the some of the most passionate fans in the world, this first leg is vital for the Blues. Whatever advantage the west Londoners can create at Stamford Bridge is going to go a long way with the tie heading to north east Spain on Thursday April 27. Just one team has found a way to beat the Barca goalkeeper Sandra Paños at the Camp Nou in Europe with the home side scoring 14 times in just three CL matches played there.