Lucy Bronze refused to count Chelsea out of the Champions League after they went down 4-1 to holders Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final in Spain.
Ewa Pajor fired the hosts in front in the 35th minute at the Johan Cruyff Stadium and substitute Claudia Pina made it two with 20 minutes left.
Sandy Baltimore pulled one back in the 74th minute, but Irene Paredes got Barcelona’s third with eight minutes remaining before Pina struck again at the death.
Ruthless. #UWCL pic.twitter.com/7wgiRXvf7u
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) April 20, 2025
“I think we can do it,” Chelsea and England defender Bronze told TNT Sports. “Never say never. Nothing is impossible.
“I think we’ve got it within us to come out and put on a big performance, a lot of intensity, a lot of pressure.
“We’re playing at Stamford Bridge, a place where we absolutely love playing. We’ve had some fantastic results from performances this season, so we’re just going to need an even bigger one next weekend.”
Defeat in the first leg.#UWCL pic.twitter.com/g5XrRTBYki
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) April 20, 2025
Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton saved Alexia Putellas’ ninth-minute penalty and was the busier of the two goalkeepers, particularly towards the end of the contest.
It was Chelsea’s heaviest defeat in 17 months and their biggest blow under manager Sonia Bompastor, who is hoping to guide the Blues to the second Champions League final in their history after they were beaten 4-0 by Barcelona in 2021.
Bronze, who lifted the same trophy with Barca last season, said Chelsea allowed their rhythm to be disturbed by their formidable opposition, who she felt dictated the style of play.
“I think we let the game get away from us at the end,” Bronze added. “I think Barca were the better team over the 90 minutes. They deserved the win.
“I think maybe we let up too many goals at the end when we were trying to keep going, lost our rhythm a lot, although we didn’t really get into it as much as we probably feel like we could have.
“I feel like we could have pushed ourselves to get another goal, but obviously, in doing that, we’ve left gaps the other way.”
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 4 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 5 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 6 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 7 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 8 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 9 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 10 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth