Chelsea vs. Barcelona: Can Chelsea Close the Gap in Women’s Champions League?

They meet again, and the numbers suggest the distance between Chelsea and Barcelona has only widened. Last season’s Champions League semi-final saw Chelsea thrashed, a stark contrast to their dominant domestic run that ended in a treble for Barcelona. That Barcelona team, led by Sonia Bompastor, completed an unbeaten Women’s Super League season.

Consider Chelsea’s WSL performance. In 2024-25, they only dropped points in three matches. This season? They’ve already stumbled in three of nine league games.

Bompastor acknowledged the situation. “We are not where we want to be,” she admitted. The key, she says, is turning words into action, particularly in efficiency and clinical finishing. The stats don’t lie, and Barcelona are outperforming them.

Barcelona, aside from a surprising defeat to Real Sociedad, have continued their dominant form. A 7-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League highlights their attacking prowess. In Liga F, they’ve netted 51 goals in 11 games, sitting comfortably at the top.

Bompastor anticipates a challenging match, where opportunities will be scarce. Playing a Champions League game at Stamford Bridge, however, always brings heightened motivation.

The summer brought some changes in Barcelona’s squad. While concerns about departures have quieted for now, the fact that many key players face contract expirations remains a potential issue down the line.

So, how can Chelsea secure that elusive, meaningful victory against Barcelona?

Erin Cuthbert played a pivotal role in their sole win 18 months ago. She recalls a team effort, closing spaces and aggressively winning the ball back in key areas. “We spooked them a little bit,” she remembers. Chelsea’s defensive resilience and willingness to push themselves to the limit proved crucial.

That kind of performance—every player giving absolutely everything—is precisely what Chelsea needs to overcome Barcelona. It’s a steep climb, but not an impossible one.

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Keywords: Chelsea Barcelona Womens Champions League, Womens Super League, Chelsea WSL, Barcelona Liga F, Erin Cuthbert Chelsea, Stamford Bridge Champions League, Womens football, Barcelona Bayern Munich