Chelsea Women take on Wolfsburg Women in the second leg of the teams’ Champions League quarter-final clash this afternoon, with the Blues looking to finish off the German club.
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea emerged victorious from the first leg, beating the Frauen-Bundesliga side 2-1 in Budapest, where today’s match – nominally a ‘home’ game for Wolfsburg – will also be held. Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder put the Blues 2-0 up before Dominique Janssen pulled one back from the penalty spot in the reverse fixture, giving Stephan Lerch’s team a lifeline and chance of reaching the semi-finals.
Last year’s Women’s Champions League runners-up Wolfsburg certainly have the pedigree to pull off the win here, and will take confidence and momentum from Sunday’s 3-1 domestic victory over Sand, though Chelsea recorded a 2-0 win against Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League on the same day. The winner of this quarter-final tie will take on either Bayern Munich or Rosengard in the semi-finals, while the other final-four showdown will see Barcelona or Manchester City come up against the victors from the all-French quarter-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon. Follow live updates from the Women’s Champions League quarter-final second leg between Wolfsburg and Chelsea below.
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FIRST FEW MINUTES
Wolfsburg are looking rather nervous and rusty this afternoon, but its a great start for Chelsea who are already putting on the pressure. Kerr gets pushed by the Wolfsburg captain and Chelsea get a free kick.
Bella Butler31 March 2021 13:06
BRIGHT START
A very bright start for Chelsea who seem to be on the front foot. It doesn’t seem to have even been in Wolfsburg’s half yet.
Bella Butler31 March 2021 13:02
KICK OFF
The players are out in Ferenc PuskásStadium in Budapest, with Emma Hayes’ side in a good position, but it’s high stakes with little margin for ever. Whistle is blown!
Bella Butler31 March 2021 13:00
BREAKING NEWS – ARSENAL MANAGER TO LEAVE
Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro is set to leave the club at the end of the season. The Australian has managed the women’s side since the 2017/18 season, and went on to lead the Gunners to win the 2018/19 WSL title and 2018 Continental League Cup. Arsenal currently sit fourth in the WSL table, and the club released a statement on their website which said Motemurro has “decided to take a professional break to recharge and dedicate more time to spending with his family”.
Bella Butler31 March 2021 12:54
WOLFSBURG LINE UP
Wolfsburg: Kiedrzynek, Hendrich, Janssen, Huth, Popp (c), Rauch, Rolfö, Engen, Blomqvist, Pajor, Doorsoun.
Subs: Schult, Abt, Jakabfi, Blässe, Saevik, Svava, Wolter, Dickenmann, Van de Sanden, Wedemeyer, Goessling, Cordes.
It looks like Blomqvist is in for the suspended Oberdorf.
Bella Butler31 March 2021 12:35
Bella Butler31 March 2021 12:24
STARTING XI
Here’s Chelsea’s starting line up today, with Erin Cuthbert back in midfield, and Sam Kerr joined with Pernille Harder up front.
Bella Butler31 March 2021 12:02
QUARTER-FINAL LANDSCAPE
The winner of this quarter-final tie will take on either Bayern Munich or Rosengard in the semi-finals, while the other final-four showdown will see Barcelona or Manchester City come up against the victors from the all-French quarter-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon.
Bayern were 3-0 winners against Rosengard in their first leg, while Barcelona also recorded a 3-0 victory over Man City.
Meanwhile, Lyon – who have won the last five editions of the competition – hold a 1-0 aggregate lead over PSG, though the domestic rivals’ second leg has been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Lyon camp.
Alex Pattle31 March 2021 11:57
HOW TO WATCH THE GAME
We’ve got you covered with live updates from this afternoon’s match, but if you want to watch it live, here’s all you need to know:
Alex Pattle31 March 2021 11:47
KERR THE KEY FOR CHELSEA?
Here’s Jamie Braidwood on the role Kerr could play for Chelsea in this afternoon’s crucial clash.
Alex Pattle31 March 2021 11:42