Chelsea will face Barcelona in the Women's Champions League semi-finals for the third consecutive year, but this time there is a key difference: Sonia Bompastor. The French coach, who won the Champions League as both player and manager with Lyon, has instilled a new level of confidence and intensity in the Chelsea side since taking over from Emma Hayes.
After overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Manchester City to reach the last four, Chelsea captain Millie Bright declared: “Bring it on.” Bompastor echoed that sentiment, saying: “In football everything is possible. I will bring all the confidence we will need to beat Barcelona in those two games.”
Barcelona have been Chelsea's nemesis in this competition, thrashing them in the 2021 final and eliminating them in the semi-finals in 2023 and 2024, going on to lift the trophy both times. However, Bompastor's Chelsea have shown a new edge, pressing with intensity and refusing to be passive against top opponents.
Lauren James highlighted the team's work rate, saying: “We needed to start the game like that. City are a good team, they have amazing individuals that are tight on the ball, so we couldn’t give them time.” The England winger has transformed into a tireless worker off the ball under Bompastor.
Another factor in Chelsea's favour is their dominance in the Women's Super League, where they hold an eight-point lead with four games remaining. This could allow them to focus fully on the Champions League, unlike in previous years when the title race was still tight. The semi-final first leg is set to take place in April.
