Rematches are on faucet within the Women’s Champions League semifinals this weekend.
Chelsea was embarrassed by Barcelona within the 2021 closing, dropping 4-0 after a first-half barrage by the Catalan membership. Emma Hayes’ group will attempt to begin higher when Barcelona visits Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon for the primary leg.
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas traveled with Barcelona however shouldn’t be within the squad. The midfielder has returned to group coaching after tearing her ACL final July.
Injury-hit Arsenal performs at Wolfsburg on Sunday of their first-leg matchup a 12 months after being eradicated by the German membership within the quarterfinals. Wolfsburg additionally knocked out Arsenal within the semifinals a decade in the past en path to its first title.
Chelsea is the one one of many remaining 4 that has not received the European competitors. Wolfsburg is a two-time champion (2013, 2014), Barcelona has one title, and Arsenal received in 2007 when it was known as the Women’s Cup.
The good news for the semifinalists is that eight-time champion Lyon is out.
The closing is on June 3 in Eindhoven.
CHELSEA vs. BARCELONA
Chelsea ought to really feel assured after defeating titleholder Lyon, although it took a late penalty and finally a shootout to get it accomplished. Plus, the London membership has misplaced simply certainly one of its previous 14 dwelling video games within the Champions League.
Australia striker Sam Kerr leads Chelsea with 5 targets within the competitors, and midfielder Pernille Harder may very well be again after a protracted layoff from hamstring surgical procedure.
The hosts should determine easy methods to decelerate a Barcelona group that has scored 35 targets in eight video games — tops within the Champions League. The different three semifinalists are subsequent finest having every scored 21.
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati has netted a team-high 5 targets and offered six assists in these eight video games.
In the Spanish league, Barcelona hasn’t misplaced since June 2021.
Barcelona reached the Champions League closing final 12 months in a bid for consecutive titles however misplaced to Lyon 3-1.
More than 25,000 tickets have been bought for Saturday’s sport. The second leg is Thursday at Camp Nou.
WOLFSBURG vs. ARSENAL
Arsenal heads to Wolfsburg Arena after dropping yet one more star participant to a knee damage.
The London membership confirmed Friday that defender Leah Williamson wants surgical procedure after tearing her ACL. Forwards Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead had season-ending ACL accidents in December and November, respectively. Veteran midfielder Kim Little (hamstring) was additionally dominated out for the season this week.
Arsenal’s solely different earlier closing was 2007 when it received the then-Women’s Cup.
Wolfsburg is attempting to get to its sixth closing. It received in back-to-back years (2013, ‘14) and was runner-up to Lyon in 2016, ’18 and ‘20.
The German team has injury concerns, too, with midfielder Alexandra Popp and defender Marina Hegering doubtful for Sunday.
Wolfsburg forward Ewa Pajor is the competition’s main scorer with seven.
In the quarterfinals final 12 months, the groups drew 1-1 in London earlier than Wolfsburg received 2-0 within the second leg with Jill Roord netting the decisive objective towards her former group.
The second leg is on May 1 at Emirates Stadium.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com