This is a Chelsea women predicted lineup for the second leg of their Women’s Champions League Semi-Final tie with Barcelona Femeni. The Blues enter this one at Stamford Bridge with a 4-1 deficit to overturn. This seemingly impossible task would require them beating the reigning champions of Europe by three goals just to take things to extra time, but, if anyone can do it, it will be Sonia Bompastor and her squad.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona for April 27
How Chelsea Women Have Lined Up Recently
Hannah Hampton has been the go-to in goal with no rest. The back four has seen some rotation with Naomi Girma coming back, Millie Bright and Nathalie Bjorn as the regular centre-back partnership, Ashley Lawrence, Lucy Bronze, Niamh Charles, and Sandy Baltimore compete for the full-back positions.
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In midfield, Kiera Walsh is the deepest sitter of the lot with Erin Cuthbert and Wieke Kaptein usually playing ahead of her. Oriane Jean-Francois and Sjoeke Nusken have also played in a more traditional double pivot. Cat Macatio, Guro Reiten, Aggie Beever-Jones, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Baltimore, and Mayra Ramirez can play in the attacking spots in either a trio or as a four.
Chelsea Women Recent Form & Tactics
Bompastor has moved between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 recently with both having a similar focus. Her team commands possession, plays from the back, and presses high in order to try and control the match and create as many chances as possible. Primarily, she uses the 4-3-3 ever since a defeat to Manchester City in the previous round of this competition but that setup does require Lauren James and her world class dribbling which the team is now without due to her injury.
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Results have been more mixed than usual for the Subway Cup champions. The 4-1 loss to Barcelona follows a draw with West Ham and another loss to Manchester City for a team that was almost perfect through the first six months of the campaign. Defensively, the once resolute back line has started to look prone with Walsh especially not looking exceptional when asked to be the protector of the defenders.
Chelsea Women Injuries to Consider
Sam Kerr remains unavailable as she recovers fitness after a year on the sidelines. Zecira Musovic is also out due to pregnancy. On the injury front James, Kadeisha Buchanan, and Sophie Ingle are all guaranteed to miss this one. Bjorn has trained after coming off early in the first leg but may not start according to the manager.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona Femeni
You don’t become the potential WSL invicibles like Chelsea Women without learning how to deal with setbacks. After the failure of the 4-3-3 in the first part of this tie, there’s no doubt that things should be switched around. Not only will it shield the back line better but Ramirez found herself completely isolated last time out until Macario came on and provided some help, for that reason we predict a 4-2-3-1 setup.
GK – Hannah Hampton
LB – Sandy Baltimore
CB – Millie Bright
CB – Nathalie Bjorn
RB – Lucy Bronze
DM – Erin Cuthbert
DM – Keira Walsh
W – Guro Reiten
AM – Cat Macario
W – Aggie Beever-Jones
ST – Mayra Ramirez
