Opponents and Match Dates of Chelsea Women in Group D
1. Real Madrid
League: Liga F
Matchday #1: Wednesday, November 15, 8:00 p.m. UK time at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano
Matchday #5: Wednesday, January 24, 8:00 p.m. UK time at Stamford Bridge
Well, this is déjà vu. For the second straight Champions League campaign, Las Blancas make up one-fourth of the west Londoners’ group. Alberto Toril’s side allowed two second half goals at Kingsmeadow in a defeat before giving the eventual semifinalists a scare in Madrid. The Spanish outfit is led by new arrival from Lyon, Signe Bruun, and French international Naomie Feller in the front line.
The club is attempting to improve its finish from the last campaign without former Manchester City star Caroline Weir who adds her name to the list of ACL tear victims. Even without the Scottish midfielder, Madrid has an intriguing team that is more than capable of challenging the west London outfit even more than in 2022. The dynamic Australian winger Hayley Raso moved to the Spanish capital this summer after netting three World Cup goals.
Las Blancas possess a dynamic front three that is going to be entertaining to watch against Jess Carter in one on one situations. Raso or Feller usually controls the right flank while Linda Caicedo is becoming a regular on the left alongside Brunn down the middle. Madrid downed last season’s runners-up in the Norwegian top-flight, Vålerenga 5-1 on aggregate to clinch a spot in the group stage pot.