Chelsea vs Real Madrid LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and final score from Stamford Bridge
Chelsea 3-2 Real Madrid: Sonia Bompastor continued her winning start at Chelsea as the Blues took all three points at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea opened their Women’s Champions League campaign with a 3-2 win over Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge.
Sonia Bompastor’s side made a dream start as Sjoeke Nusken’s header deflected in and Guro Reiten doubled their lead from the penalty spot.
Real Madrid pulled one back before half time through Alba Redondo but Mayra Ramirez’s header restored Cheslea’s advantage after the break.
Linda Caicedo came off the bench to pull another back for the visitors, but Chelsea held on to claim their third home victory in a row over Real Madrid.
Follow updates from Chelsea vs Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League in tonight’s live blog, below
European schedule forces change of plans for Chelsea
Chelsea were meant to host Manchester United on Sunday, October 6 in a highly-anticipated clash of Women’s Super League heavyweights.
However, this had to be postponed at just a week’s notice because of a conflict with tonight’s match against Real Madrid, scheduled for just two days after the proposed United game.
Throwing their planned preparation into disarray, it was safe to say Blue manager Sonia Bompastor was not happy with the change of schedule.
"We were disappointed, players and staff,” Bompastor said. “I think everyone has to understand we were supposed to play.
"We were in a very good team dynamic and not having the opportunity to play this weekend changed everything in preparation for the game on Tuesday with Real Madrid.
"When you have the opportunity to play one game a week, with this decision being made to postpone the game, now we have been out of competition for 10 days which is completely different.
"If you look at the situation, the decision is not good. I think it is not good for all the English clubs who are in the Champions League competition."
Chelsea’s Women’s Champions League record under Emma Hayes
2023-24: Semi-finals
2022-23: Semi-finals
2021-22: Group stages
2020-21: Final
2019-20: N/A
2018-19: Semi-finals
2017-18: Semi-finals
Bompastor and Bronze can take Chelsea ‘that extra mile’
Chelsea captain believes new arrivals Sonia Bompastor and Lucy Bronze can help the club take the next step in Europe.
Bronze has won the Champions League five times, including the last two with Barcelona and three with Lyon, while Bompastor has won the competition as both player and coach.
“Everyone knows that our winning mentality is something that has been embedded in us for several years now,” Bright said.
“Sonia [Bompator] and the likes of Lucy [Bronze] coming in add to that mentality. They have got over that final line which we are yet to do.
“Having that experience as a player and a manager can take you that extra mile. As a whole, we’re very different now. We’re on a new journey and it’s an exciting one.”
Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Team news!
Chelsea hand a start to 19-year-old midfielder Wieke Kaptein while Sandy Baltimore lines up a left back - with no Erin Cuthbert in the squad.
Lauren James starts and Mayra Ramirez returns to lead the line, with Aggie Beever-Jones dropping to the bench.
Linda Caicedo is on the bench for Real Madrid, who start former Chelsea midfielder Melanie Leupolz. Caroline Weir leads the line for the visitors.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Team news!
Confirmed line-ups
Chelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Bjorn, Baltimore; Kaptein, Nusken; Rytting Kaneryd, James, Reiten; Ramirez
Real Madrid XI: Misa; Garcia, Lakrar, Mendez, Carmona; Leupolz, Angeldal, Teresa; Del Castillo, Weir, Redondo
Chelsea hoping to take next step in Women’s Champions League
Chelsea are hoping Sonia Bompastor can help the club reach the next level in Europe. The one trophy Chelsea could not win during Emma Hayes’ 12 years in charge was the Champions League, despite going close over the past few seasons.
There was the 2021 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, a 4-0 thrashing in Gothenburg, but the Blues were far more competitive in the last two semi-finals against the reigning champions, losing 2-1 on aggregate both times.
Last season felt especially brutal, with Chelsea winning 1-0 away from home in the first leg before a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge that featured a contentious penalty.
Chelsea ready for ‘tough’ Real Madrid challenge
Sonia Bompastor dismissed Chelsea’s strong record against Real Madrid and said she is preparing for a “tough game” against the Spanish side.
Real Madrid have invested in the summer, signing not just former Chelsea midfielder Melanie Leupolz but Sheila Garcia, Antonia, Eva Navarro, Alba Redondo, Maelle Lakrar and Filippa Angeldahl and Maria Mendez.
“For me and the staff who have come in, it’s the first time we are going to face Real Madrid,” Bompastor said.
“I know they are one of the most competitive teams in the Spanish league, and how many talented players they have in the squad. They love to possess the ball. It’s will be a tough game, and we are ready for that.”
Chelsea host Real Madrid for third year in a row
This is the third year in a row in which Chelsea have met Stamford Bridge in the Women’s Champions League group stages.
Last year, Chelsea drew 2-2 in Madrid before beating the Spanish side 2-1 at Stamford Bridge as they went through as group winners.
It was a season to forget for Real Madrid, who lost five of their six games and crashed out behind BK Hacken and Paris FC.
And in 2022-23, Chelsea also progressed as group winners, beating Real Madrid at home and earning an away win in Madrid.
With four games without a win against Chelsea, Real Madrid will be out to end that run tonight.
Sonia Bompastor looks ahead to ‘special’ Champions League return
Sonia Bompastor takes charge of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time, and in a competition where she has fond memories.
The Frenchwoman is the only person to win the Women’s Champions League as both a player and a coach and said:
“It’s a really special competition, which means a lot to every player and every member of staff.
“We are really excited to get started, especially as the first game is at home at Stamford Bridge. I’m really excited because I’m in the Chelsea dugout and I’m the Chelsea manager.
“I can’t wait to be in that position, to enjoy the game and to be out there with the players and the fans.”
Real Madrid team news
Scotland international Caroline Weir has returned to action for Real Madrid after missing almost a year with an ACL injury.
Linda Caicedo and Alba Redondo should return to the starting line-up following the 1-0 win over Valencia on Friday night, while Melanie Leupolz should start against her former side having left Stamford Bridge in the summer.
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