LONDON (AP) — Emma Hayes didn’t want anyone to get carried away by Chelsea’s surprise 1-0 win over Barcelona last week in the Women’s Champions League semifinal.
Indeed, Chelsea must finish the job in Saturday’s second leg in order to reach only their second final – in Hayes’ final season at the club.
Defending champions Barcelona won at Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals a year ago and arrived in London with more than enough firepower, as evidenced by team plane decorated with images of the players – to make a comeback.
Lyon faces Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday at the Parc des Princes in the other semi-final return. Eight-time champions Lyon were 2-0 down but came back to win 3-2 in last week’s opener.
The final will take place on May 25 in Bilbao, Spain.
Here’s a closer look at the return matches:
CHELSEA-BARCELONA
Even with a powerful attack led by playmaker and Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, Barcelona failed to put a shot on target in the first leg. This should change as Barcelona will look to play much faster. Erin Cuthbert’s 40th-minute goal was enough for Chelsea to hand Barcelona their first home defeat in five years. The Blues remained compact in defense and eliminated the passing lanes. Some of Barcelona’s problems were self-inflicted: Salma Paralluelo missed a couple of chances in the second half before two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas fired home a point-blank shot just before the final whistle. A year ago, Caroline Graham Hansen scored early at Stamford Bridge in Barcelona’s 1-0 first-leg victory. Barcelona beat Wolfsburg 3-2 in last season’s Champions League final to win their second title. Chelsea reached the final in 2021, losing 4-0 to Barcelona. Both coaches will travel to the United States after the season. Hayes takes over as coach of the United States women’s national team. Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez will coach the NWSL’s Washington Spirit.
PSG-LYON
The Parisiennes dominated much of the first leg and led 2-0 thanks to goals from striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto before halftime. But old friend Kadidiatou Diani – who signed with Lyon in the off-season – scored a goal in the 80th minute and PSG were unable to contain Lyon’s surge. In just a few minutes, Melchie Dumornay equalized before Amel Majri made it 3-2 in the 86th minute. It is now up to PSG to catch up. They are quite capable of it with Katoto and the ever-living Tabitha Chawinga up front. PSG have been runners-up twice but have never won the tournament. Lyon are seeking their record ninth title. Lyon have taken out their sorrows on their French rivals many times in the past – beating PSG in the 2017 final – on penalties – and three other times in the semi-finals. PSG’s last success in the Women’s Champions League against Lyon dates back to the 2020-21 quarter-finals.
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