Chelsea made history as they became the first team to defeat Barcelona at home in the Champions League since 2022, securing a crucial 1-0 victory in the first leg of their semi-final clash. Erin Cuthbert’s goal in the 40th minute proved to be the decisive moment, giving Chelsea a slender advantage heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s victory marked a significant achievement for the club, demonstrating their progress under manager Emma Hayes. Despite losing 4-0 to Barcelona in the final three years ago and being eliminated at the same stage last year, Chelsea has shown remarkable growth. Hayes has iterated on the team’s game plan, which saw them narrowly lose 2-1 on aggregate to Barcelona in 2022-23.
In the first leg, Chelsea switched to a back five formation, with former winger Niamh Charles deployed as the left-sided center-back. This tactical adjustment paid dividends, as Chelsea effectively neutralized Barcelona’s attacking threat, particularly from Caroline Graham Hansen, who had been a thorn in their side in previous encounters.
Chelsea’s high press proved to be a key factor in their success. The Blues forced Barcelona center-back Irene Paredes to make a poor pass, which allowed Ashley Lawrence to intercept and play a sharp pass to Cuthbert. Cuthbert then combined with Sjoeke Nusken on the edge of the area before finishing clinically past goalkeeper Cata Coll.
Despite their defensive formation, Chelsea did not sit back and looked dangerous going forward. Jess Carter, who has struggled in previous big matches, had an outstanding performance and was named player of the match. Carter’s defensive excellence and leadership qualities were crucial for Chelsea, and her composure was particularly impressive given the news that her partner, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, had been sold to Gotham FC just a day before the match.
Chelsea will be hoping to recreate the magic at Stamford Bridge in the return leg, where they will aim to reach their second Champions League final. With 27,000 tickets already sold, the club is hoping to surpass the 32,970 attendance they recorded against Arsenal earlier this season. The crowd is expected to play a pivotal role in providing Chelsea with the support they need to overcome Barcelona and secure their place in the final.
