Chelsea finally gave Barcelona a proper scare in the Women’s Champions League, but walked away furious after a 1-1 draw that felt more like two points dropped than one gained. After years of heartbreak against the Catalans, the Blues had them on the ropes, but couldn’t land the knockout punch.
Chelsea dominated large spells of the first half, pressed high, and carved out several clear-cut chances. Ellie Carpenter fired them ahead with a brilliant strike, only for Ewa Pajor to level eight minutes later after the Blues failed to clear a sloppy corner, gifting the visitors a simple equaliser.
Carpenter should’ve sealed it late on too, racing through with only the keeper to beat, but dragged her finish wide from close range. Manager Sonia Bompastor cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, looking certain she knew that was the moment Chelsea blew it.
Catarina Macario also saw a goal chalked off for a razor tight offside call, and when the full time whistle went the Blues slumped, hands on hips, fuming at what could’ve been. The draw leaves Chelsea sixth in the league phase table, two points behind Barcelona, who sit top.
Despite the result, the display was a huge upgrade from last season’s humiliating 8-2 aggregate defeat in the semi final. Chelsea matched Barcelona physically and tactically, but their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal proved the difference yet again.
“It’s frustrating not to win when you look at the stats and the chances we had,” said Bompastor. “We had opportunities to win, but there were a lot of positives too. We know in big Champions League matches we need to be clinical. The players has worked so hard and performed at a high level tonight.”
Barcelona have knocked Chelsea out in four of the last five Champions League campaigns, making them a long term nemesis. Former Blue Anita Asante believes this may have been the best opportunity yet.
“This is an opportunity missed,” she said on BBC Two. “Chelsea created the three best chances and frustrated Barcelona. It’s the best I’ve seen them play all season.”
Even Barcelona boss Pere Romeu admitted this was a very different Chelsea side from the one they swatted aside last year. Bompastor said tactical tweaks made the difference, claiming she was “too ambitious” previously and set her side up more cautiously out of possession this time.
Lucy Bronze echoed the frustration: “We feel like we could’ve won it. Probably had the better chances. No one expected that apart from us. I told Naomi Girma afterwards we were playing chess out there.”
Girma, a £900k signing from San Diego Wave, delivered her best performance since joining the club after a difficult spell hampered by a knee injury. Quick, composed and relentless in recovery runs, she produced a stunning first-half block to deny Caroline Graham Hansen, moments before Chelsea scored at the other end.
“She won’t get all the plaudits, but she was defensively solid,” said Nikita Parris. “She can be proud of that, especially after the injury layoff.”
Bompastor agreed: “One of her best performances, yeah. She’s a great player and we need to keep her fit. You saw her quality tonight.”
Chelsea now face a tough run of fixtures as they fight for a top four finish and another shot at Europe’s biggest prize. Barcelona remain favourites to top the group, but for once, Chelsea walked away knowing they should have beaten them.
And that might just sting most of all.
