Sports
UEFA Women’s Champions League: Chelsea Hosts Real Madrid in Season Opener
Today marks the beginning of the UEFA Women's Champions League season as Chelsea prepares to host Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. This fixture is the third consecutive meeting between the two clubs in the competition. Chelsea’s head coach, Sonia Bompastor, who has previously achieved notable success with the French club Lyon both as a player and a manager, is keen to replicate that success with Chelsea.
“A win today would be a significant step in the right direction,” said a source close to the club. Given current medical restrictions, Chelsea is fielding the strongest lineup possible for today’s match.
The Chelsea starting lineup is configured in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Hampton as the goalkeeper, Bronze, Bright, Björn, and Baltimore forming the defense. Midfield duties are assigned to Nüsken and Kaptein, while Reiten, James, and Kaneryd support forward RamÃrez. Substitutes include Musovic, Lawrence, Périsset, Bartel, Hamano, Mpomé, Jean-François, and Beever-Jones.
Real Madrid’s starting eleven features Misa, Shei, Lakrar, M. Méndez, Olga, Teresa, Angeldahl, Leupolz, Athenea, Weir, and Redondo. The substitutes comprise Chavas, Téllez, Oihane, RocÃo, Antonia S., Bruun, Moller, C. Camacho, Linda C., Eva Navarro, and Feller.
The match is scheduled to begin at 20:00 BST at Stamford Bridge in London, with no television broadcast secured in the US or UK. However, it will be available for streaming on DAZN in both regions.
Chelsea managed to secure a rest period as their league game scheduled for October 6th was postponed, whereas Real Madrid has played seven games this season, winning all of them. This gives Las Blancas a form advantage as they seek their first-ever victory against Chelsea, having only managed draws and losses in previous encounters.
Real Madrid’s coach Alberto Toril is optimistic as Antonia Silva returns to the lineup after injury, though Sandie Toletti is sidelined with a knee injury sustained against Valencia last weekend.