Chelsea vs Barcelona LIVE: Result and reaction from Women’s Champions League semi-final

Chelsea 0-1 Barcelona: Caroline Graham Hansen gives Barca the advantage ahead of the semi-final second leg

(Action Images via Reuters)

Chelsea will need to overturn a one goal deficit when they travel to Spain next week for the second leg of the their Women’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

In scenes reminiscent of the 2021 WCL final, Barca struck early in the game when Caroline Graham Hansen darted inside from the right wing and smoked a beautiful shot past the outstretched hand of Ann-Katrin Berger to open the scoring after just four minutes.

On the previous occasion Chelsea wilted to concede four goals before half-time but here they responded well. Stepping further up the pitch to control play in midfield the Blues seemed more composed. Guro Reiten even ahd a goal disallowed after a slight offside from Sam Kerr in the build-up.

However, as the second half progressed injuries and a lack of squad depth began to tell for Emma Hayes’ side. They managed to keep out a late Barcelona onslaught but the equaliser they desperately wanted remained out of reach.

Relive the action as Chelsea faced Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals:

Chelsea vs Barcelona

• Chelsea lose the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge as Barcelona take control of Women’s Champions League semi-final
• 66’ CHANCE! - Cuthbert’s header is caught by Panos (CHE 0-1 BAR)
• 54’ SHOT! - James gets a first sight of goal but doesn’t beat Panos (CHE 0-1 BAR)
• 25’ DISALLOWED - Reiten’s equaliser ruled out for offside (CHE 0-1 BAR)
• 16’ SHOT! - Geyse draws a low save out of Berger (CHE
• 4’ GOAL! - Graham Hansen sends Barca ahead (CHE 0-1 BAR)

[22 April 2023 11:37 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea need to defend at ‘unbelievable level’ to beat Barca says Hayes

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says her team will have to defend "at an unbelievable level" if they are to best Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final.

"It will be tough. We have to play a perfect game, have to execute at both ends of the pitch to give ourselves the perfect chance," added Hayes.

"We’re a team which is used to struggling, we know how to suffer. We’re going to have to do that for a lot of the game. But we have a dressing room that are motivated and ready to perform."

(Action Images via Reuters)

[22 April 2023 11:32 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea vs Barcelona

Today’s match is being played at Stamford Bridge and the excitement levels are building already for fans of Emma Hayes’ Chelsea.

(PA)

(PA)

[22 April 2023 11:27 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea vs Barcelona prediction

The manner in which Barcelona dismantled Roma will worry Chelsea, who have plenty to prove after being so thoroughly beaten by the Catalan club in the final in 2021.

The hosts will need a good first leg performance to have any hope of progress.

Chelsea 2-2 Barcelona.

[22 April 2023 11:23 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea vs Barcelona line-ups

Chelsea XI: Berger; Perisset, Mjelde, Eriksson, Carter; Cuthbert, Leupolz, Reiten; Charles, Cankovic, Kerr

Barcelona XI: Panos; Bronze, Paredes, Leon, Rolfo; Bonmati, Walsh, Guijarro; Graham Hansen, Geyse, Parralluelo

[22 April 2023 11:19 · Mike Jones]

What is the early team news?

Millie Bright is out for the next “few weeks” due to a knee injury, with the Chelsea defender forced to pull out of the England squad earlier in April. Lionesses colleague Fran Kirby has been battling injury for much of this season, but Pernille Harder returned to the bench for the FA Cup win against Aston Villa and could feature.

For Barcelona, Alexia Putellas is getting closer to a return after tearing her ACL just before last summer’s Euros. the Midfielder has been back in full training, though this first leg has come too soon for her. Claudia Pina and Mariona Caldentey are back fit.

[22 April 2023 11:15 · Mike Jones]

How to watch Chelsea vs Barcelona

Chelsea vs Barcelona is due to kick off at 12.30pm BST on Saturday 22 April at Stamford Bridge in London.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the semi-final first leg live on DAZN or YouTube. Every game in this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League from the group stage onwards is broadcast live in most territories on streaming platform DAZN, together with YouTube.

[22 April 2023 11:05 · Mike Jones]

Chelsea vs Barcelona

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Women’s Champions League.

This massive semi-final clash sees two of Europe’s heavyweight teams go head-to-head as they battle for a spot in the final. Emma Hayes’ Chelsea host Jonatan Giraldez’s Barcelona in the first leg of this two-legged tie and will hope home advantage gives them an edge this afternoon.

The hosts have bad memories of playing Barca who defeated them 4-0 in the 2021 Women’s Champions League final and there is no doubt that they will want to inflict a bit of revenge on the Spanish Champions today.

Kick off for this one is at 12.30pm and we’ll have all the build-up, team news and updates as Chelsea look to reach the WCL showpiece.