A superb fourth-minute strike from Caroline Graham Hansen was sufficient to present Barcelona a first-leg lead within the semi final of the Women’s Champions League in opposition to a gutsy Chelsea aspect.
Norway worldwide Hansen lower inside from the wing to crack a long-range effort into the far nook. Barça managed a lot of the sport, although Guro Reiten had each a objective disallowed for offside and a shot cleared off the road by Lucy Bronze, who hobbled off by means of damage.
Chelsea should now overturn a deficit subsequent week at Camp Nou in opposition to a aspect who sit on the prime of Liga F with a objective distinction of +100.
Memories of the 2021 final between the 2 sides which ended 4-0 to Barcelona with all 4 targets coming within the first half have been rapidly summoned as the guests took the lead within the fourth minute.
Hansen was allowed to float in from the proper unopposed and drill in a beautiful effort from the sting of the field, leaving goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger with no likelihood.
Barça appeared splendidly composed in possession, their midfield gamers dropping into defence at any time when Irene Paredes or Mapi Leon introduced the ball out from the again. They have been nonetheless examined by the tempo in behind from Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten as Chelsea made some inroads in assault.
It was Reiten who appeared to have equalised after being performed by means of by Kerr just for an offside flag to go up, and the Norwegian was denied moments later having rounded Sandra Panos, just for Lucy Bronze to clear her goal-bound shot off the road.
The finish to finish motion continued as Hansen breezed into the field and compelled Berger right into a sprawling save which halted play for the goalkeeper to obtain some therapy.
The beforehand unflustered Barça aspect appeared rushed in direction of the top of the first half, with some tweaks from Emma Hayes quietening the energetic Salma Paralluelo.
Lauren James changed Jelena Cankovic at half time as Chelsea appeared to ramp up the stress within the second half, which began with a slight lull in probabilities at each finish. Berger wanted to bat away a harmful cross and James obtained her first shot away quickly after, however it lacked the facility to bother visiting goalie Panos.
Barça squeezed the life out of the sport within the second half and virtually doubled their lead when substitute Marta Torrejon headed in opposition to the woodwork with a header, leaving the 1-0 rating in tact.
The outcomes leaves Chelsea wanted a victory at Camp Nou on Thursday to achieve the Champions League final, with Barça effectively on monitor to make a 3rd successive final.
GK: Ann-Katrin Berger – 7/10 – Took a few whacks all through the first half. Some good and dominant conserving when Barça threw crosses into the field.
RB: Eve Perisset – 4/10 – Had Charles alongside her for some duels with Paralluelo, however lack of tempo was proven occasionally.
CB: Maren Mjelde – 7/10 – Saved Chelsea’s pores and skin a few instances, chopping out some harmful passes and crosses.
CB: Magdalena Eriksson – 7/10 – Chelsea have been a little bit gradual out of the traps early on however appeared sharped when Eriksson and Mjelde obtained extra assertive.
LB: Jess Carter – 6/10 – Often readily available to clear the hazard in defence. Gave the ball away a few instances in harmful positions.
CM: Erin Cuthbert – 7/10 – Put in an amazing quantity of defensive work within the face of some oppressive Barcelona possession.
CM: Melanie Leupolz – 5/10 – Launched a few harmful lengthy balls ahead however did not do a lot else.
CM: Guro Reiten – 7/10 – Got very excessive up the pitch. Unfortunate to see Bronze clear her goal-bound shot.
RW: Niamh Charles – 6/10 – Worked in tandem with Perisset and did not get many attacking alternatives.
ST: Jelena Cankovic – 6/10 – Looked vibrant when drifting out vast and created some area for kerr and Reiten. Subbed at half time.
LW: Sam Kerr – 6/10 – Looked most harmful when linking up with Carter however did not get sufficient service.
Substitutes
Lauren James (46′ for Cankovic) – 5/10
Sophie Ingle (68′ for Cuthbert) – 6/10
Jessie Fleming (84′ for Leupolz) – N/A
Pernille Harder (84′ for Reiten) N/A – A protracted-awaited return from damage, having final performed in November.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (84′ for Perisset) – N/A
Manager
Emma Hayes – 5/10 – Chelsea did effectively to remain within the sport for therefore lengthy however face a particularly tall order to achieve the final given Barcelona’s spectacular residence file.
Read the newest Women’s Champions League information right here
GK: Sandra Panos – 6/10 – Booked for some hilarious time-wasting late on. Not too many essential saves to make.
RB: Lucy Bronze – 7/10 – Brilliant clearance off the road denied Reiten an equaliser. Had to hobble off halfway by means of the second half.
CB: Irene Paredes – 7/10 – Brought the ball out from the again although generally look anxious by Kerr and Reiten working in behind.
CB: Mapi Leon – 7/10 – Rarely gave the ball away and was dogged on the again, to the purpose of selecting up a reserving.
LB: Fridolina Rolfo – 7/10 – Came shut with a rocket in direction of full-time. Had some enjoyable battles with Eriksson.
CM: Aitana Bonmati – 9/10 – Popped the ball round with ease all sport. Delightful in central midfield.
CM: Keira Walsh – 8/10 – Gave nice steadiness to Barça’s midfield, conserving possession protected within the face of Chelsea’s urgent.
CM: Patricia Guijarro – 7/10 – Pulled out some sturdy challenges and steadily mopped up unfastened ball.
RW: Caroline Graham Hansen – 9/10 – Jinked in from the proper and struck in brilliantly to open the scoring. So fast on the break, all the time trying harmful with the ball.
ST: Geyse – 7/10 – A few very nice dribbles and harassed Chelsea’s defenders with out the ball. Brought off a little bit prematurely.
LW: Salma Paralluelo – 8/10 – Drifted all around the frontline, inflicting actual issues for Chelsea’s defence.
Substitutes
Mariona Caldentey (60′ for Geyse) – 6/10
Marta Torrejon (67′ for Bronze) – 7/10
Asisat Oshoala (84′ for Hansen) – N/A
Ingrid Syrstad Engen (84′ for Walsh) – N/A
Ana Maria Crnogorcevic (85′ for Paralluelo) – N/A
Manager
Jonatan Giraldez – 7/10 – Giraldez’s stored management of the sport and did not enable Chelsea too many alternatives, although the guests did look shaky occasionally.
Discussion about this post