A monster crowd is expected this Thursday at Spotify Camp Nou as FC Barcelona bid to reach yet another UEFA Women's Champions League Final.

Following last week's 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, decided by a Graham Hansen goal after just four minutes, the Catalans could not be better poised and will be hoping that their supporters can give them that final push over the line and into the final on June 3 at Philips Stadion, Eindhoven.

Should they qualify, they will be facing the winner of the Arsenal v VfL Wolfsburg clash, which is currently all square after the first leg ended 2-2 in Germany. The second leg in London being played on May 1.

But it won't be easy in a 6.45pm CEST against a highly experienced Chelsea side who currently lie third in the English league but have two games in hand on the two Manchester clubs that lie above them in a very tight title race. And the Londoners are the side that knocked out the defending champions Olympic Lyon in the previous round.

Barça are on a five-game winning streak in Europe, and haven't lost a home continental fixture since 2018. A nobody has ever beaten them in any competition whenever they have played at Spotify Camp Nou. Let's hope that record holds today!

Team news

The big story from the Barça camp is that two-time world player of the year Alexia Putellas has finally been declared fully fit, and has been included in the squad for the first time in ten months. We can expect a roaring reception for the midfielder should she feature in this game, which will probably be as a substitute. The only injury concern for the home side is Lucy Bronze, who will be unable to face her compatriots due to a knee problem.

Chelsea have also recently welcomed back a star member from injury. Danish international Pernille Harder made her comeback in the first leg after months on the side-lines, although she was only on for the last few minutes, too short a time to have much real impact. But Chelsea are going to have to make do without the services of any of the unfit Millie Bright, Kadiesha Buchanan, Fran Kirby and Katerina Svitkova.

The winners of the last three editions of the FA Women's Super League are looking for a second UWCL Final appearance after losing 4-0 to Barça two seasons ago.

 

Força Barça