PREVIEW: Chelsea v Barça

FC Barcelona have a date with history today (Sunday, 9.00pm CEST) as they play in the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League for only the second time. They failed to bring the trophy home from Budapest when they first appeared at the showpiece event in 2019, losing 4-1 to Olympique Lyonnais, but now they are back for second crack at the title.

The venue this time, albeit behind closed doors due to Covid-19, is the Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg. And the opposition are a team that is playing in the final for the first time ever, the newly crowned English Super League champions Chelsea.

Chelsea are the first team to ever qualify for the men’s and women’s Champions League Finals in the same year. And whoever wins Sunday’s encounter will be able to boast something even more special. They will become the first ever club to have won both the men’s and women’s trophy.

The road to Gothenburg

All scores are aggregate over two legs.

Round of 32
Chelsea 8-0 Benfica
Barça 8-2 PSV Eindhoven

Round of 16
Chelsea 3-1 Atlético Madrid
Barça 9-0 Fortuna Hjørring

Quarter Finals
Chelsea 5-1 Vfl Wolfsburg
Barça 5-1 Manchester City

Semi Finals
Chelsea 5-3 Bayern Munich
Barça 3-2 Paris St Germain

Team news

Barça are missing suspended centre back Andrea Pereira and injured striker Andrea Falcón. Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala, Barça’s goalscorer in the final two years ago, has won her race to get fit in time, but whether she is picked ahead of Jenni Hermoso (or whether they both play) remains to be seen. With six goals, Hermoso is joint top scorer in the competition along with Chelsea’s Fran Kirby.

Chelsea’s sole forced absentee is the injured Maren Mjelde, but in Jessica Carter they have an excellent replacement.

Did you know?

If Barça win, a fifth nation will be added to the winners of the trophy. All of the previous winners have been from France, Germany, England or Sweden.

This is the last time the competition is being played in its current direct knockout format. From next season, there will be a sixteen-team group stage. As Liga Iberdrola champions, Barça are already guaranteed direct passage to one of the groups.

These teams are not used to losing. Chelsea’s only defeat in all competitions this season was a shock home defeat to Brighton. Barça have only lost twice, on penalties to Atlético Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup and in the second leg of their Champions League quarter final against Man City.

The only time the teams have ever met before was a friendly at the Miniestadi in 2018 that ended 1-1.
Barça have scored 166 goals in their last 36 games. That’s impressive!