The catchy anthem is being readied to blare out across the stadiums and the sparkly balls are being prepared — the Women’s Champions League is back this weekend.
The best of the best in European women’s football, including Women’s Super League sides Arsenal and Chelsea, will be battling out in the first legs of two semi-finals. Making it to the final in the Dutch city of Eindhoven on Saturday, June 3 will be a huge undertaking for both English clubs but across two legs, anything can happen…
This semi-final is a rematch of the competition’s 2020-21 final — indeed, Chelsea are facing Barcelona for the first time since suffering that comprehensive 4-0 defeat in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Chelsea’s most likely starting line-up for the first leg at Stamford Bridge on Saturday will still have vivid memories of the total collapse which saw their first chance at European glory ripped away, as many of that team are still at the club. The new additions — Lauren James, Eve Perisset and Jelena Cankovic — have brought some fresh energy to the team and James will be one of their biggest threats to Barcelona.
Chelsea’s Lauren James during the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa last weekend (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Emma Hayes’ side are struggling…
