This is a Chelsea Women predicted lineup for their Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg against holders Barcelona Femeni. This is a rematch from an admittedly one-sided rivalry that has happened across multiple semi-final stages and even the final of this competition once upon a time. This competition is the one remaining glory that the Blues are chasing so Sonia Bompastor will need to be spot on.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona Femeni
How Chelsea Women Have Lined Up Recently
There haven’t been many matches since the international break but we have some insight into what Bompastor’s ideal eleven is. Hannah Hampton has played every match in goal since Zecira Musovic’s pregnancy and the subsequent injury to replacement Femke Liefting. The four B’s Sandy Baltimore, Millie Bright, Nathalie Bjorn, and Lucy Bronze are the trusted back four. Keira Walsh plays at the base of midfield with Erin Cuthbert and Wieke Kaptein as marauding central midfielders.
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On the wings, Aggie Beever-Jones started on the left while Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was on the right. Mayra Ramirez started as the striker. If the formation shifts as it has before the international break, then Cat Macario does play behind the striker.
Chelsea Women Recent Form & Tactics
The team uses one of two tactical setups with either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, the latter has been the more useful option since the signing of Walsh who dictates how the team operate with her calmness and passing ability. Both systems aim to control the ball and attack nonstop with the full-backs getting high to join the attack. When possession is lost they press high and keep the back line high to force turnovers.
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The 4-2-3-1 was responsible for the only defeat of the season when the Blues lost 2-0 to Manchester City. Since then they’ve mostly used the 4-3-3 to get two wins over the Citizens, an FA Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool, and an unlucky 2-2 draw with West Ham. While goalscoring is clearly not an issue, keeping clean sheets is, which will be a worry ahead of a match with such a strong unit as Barcelona.
Chelsea Women Injuries to Consider
The travelling squad indicates who is healthy. Lauren James and Musovic are both with the team but unable to play, James got injured on international duty and has an undisclosed timeline for recovery. Naomi Girma and Maelys Mpome appear to be fit after their injuries while Sam Kerr, Sophie Ingle, and Kadeisha Buchanan remain sidelined from ACL issues.
Chelse Women Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona Women
GK – Hannah Hampton
LB – Sandy Baltimore
CB – Millie Bright
CB – Nathalie Bjorn
RB – Lucy Bronze
DM – Keira Walsh
CM – Erin Cuthbert
CM – Cat Macario
LW – Guro Reiten
ST – Mayra Ramirez
RW – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
