Match report: Chelsea 0-2 Barcelona (1-2 on aggregate)

Chelsea and Emma Hayes’s Champions League dream was ended at a sold-out Stamford Bridge this evening. The Blues, who played 30 minutes with ten players, were beaten 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate by Barcelona in the semi-finals.

Chelsea came into the second leg with a one-goal lead thanks to Erin Cuthbert’s strike in Catalonia. But the tie was level by the interval at the Bridge – sold out for the first time for a women’s game – after Aitana Bonmati struck.

Unfortunately, decisions went against us in the second half. Two yellow cards in quick succession saw Kadeisha Buchanan dismissed and Fridolina Rolfo later converted a penalty after Bonmati tumbled under pressure from Jess Carter and Ashley Lawrence.

That goal coupled with our player disadvantage proved too much for us to overcome

A solid start

Emma Hayes was forced into one change with Mayra Ramirez ruled out through injury. She was replaced in the frontline by Catarina Macario. The 3-4-1-2 shape used in the first leg was maintained.

The onus was on Barcelona to score. Fail to do so and the reigning champions would be eliminated. Jonatan Giraldez’s side started well and moved the ball across the pitch neatly, but Chelsea kept them at bay in the opening ten minutes.

As in the first leg, Chelsea carried a threat in transition and also through spells of possession. Our first effort on goal came via the latter as a well-constructed attack ended with Erin Cuthbert driving over from a distance.

Barcelona, as expected, controlled the ball and started to push the Blues back into our defensive third. Chances were then created. The first fell to Caroline Graham Hansen, who forced Hannah Hampton into a good stop with a shot from distance.

The second resulted in the opener. After a Barcelona cross was recycled, the ball was punched into the feet of Bonmati. She shifted it onto her right foot, fired toward goal, and watched as her shot deflected off Buchanan and beyond Hampton.

The right response

It was a setback the Blues had to react to. They did so well and came close to retaking the lead in the tie on the half-hour mark. Lauren James did excellently down the right to hold up the ball and exchange passes with Macario.

The England international pulled a cross back into the area which fell perfectly for Melanie Leupolz. But our German midfielder’s effort was too high and clipped the crossbar on its way over.

Chelsea took confidence from the chance and fashioned another soon after. This time Macario produced a sublime touch touch and then volleyed goalward from 20 yards. The ball was headed for the corner but Cata Coll saved.

Another opportunity passed the Blues by after Sjoeke Nusken raced onto a short back pass and squared for James. She couldn’t make content six yards out and the chance ended with Cuthbert drilling over.

As the half approached its end, momentum swung back toward Barcelona and Fridolina Rolfo twice threatened the Chelsea goal. Yet neither of her attempts troubled Hampton and the tie was level with 45 minutes to play.

Barcelona looked to change that soon after the restart. The Catalans started the second period at pace and some last-ditch defending was required from the Blues. Ona Batlle also guided a shot from 20 yards high and wide.

Five crucial minutes

Then came what proved to be a pivotal five minutes of the contest.

It started with Buchanan being shown a yellow card for a foul on Salma Paralluelo. Chelsea then struck the woodwork again after Sjoeke Nusken guided the ball against the post after excellent work in the build-up from both James and Ashley Lawrence

Moments later, Buchanan produced a strong challenge on Patri Guijarro. There was contact on the ball and contact on the player. Referee Luliana Demetrescu called the tackle and foul and showed Buchanan a second yellow card and then a red.

Thirty minutes remained. Hayes reacted. She shifted Nuksen to the right of the back three, kept Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Lawrence as wing-backs, and introduced Guro Reiten as a third midfielder for Macario. James was our lone attacker.

Barcelona attempted to ramp up the pressure. Paralluelo fired over, Hampton denied Ona Batlle. Chelsea’s attacks were sporadic and were the result of quick counters. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd ended one with a shot that Coll held well.

The minutes ticked down and Barcelona continued to probe. One attack saw Bonmati spin away from Jess Carter and then fall under pressure. The referee awarded a spot kick and VAR did not overturn the decision. Rolfo stepped up and converted.

Chelsea had to find a goal to have hope of progressing, but Barcelona kept us at arm’s length. Hayes introduced Eve Perissett, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby with seven minutes to play. Off went Lawrence, Rytting Kaneryd and James.

The Blues did what they could to make it difficult for Barcelona. Crosses were put into the box, direct passes forward to Bright, deployed as an emergency centre forward, were well contested. The ball just didn’t fall for us in the visitor’s penalty area.

The game ended in a painful defeat – and Hayes didn’t get the perfect farewell at Stamford Bridge. But there is still a Women’s Super League title to contend for. A chance of silverware remains.