Bompastor set for 'biggest challenge' of career

Chelsea lost 4-1 in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final

Uefa Women's Champions League: Chelsea v Barcelona

Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Sunday, 27 April Kick-off: 14:00 BST

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Sonia Bompastor says the second leg of Chelsea's Women's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona will be the "biggest challenge" of her career.

Chelsea must overturn a three-goal deficit when the side's meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday after suffering a 4-1 defeat in the first leg.

The Blues looked to have kept themselves in the tie when Sandy Baltimore's 74th minute strike halved Barcelona's lead but conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to damage their hopes of a quadruple dreams and a first European title.

Bompastor is no stranger to beating Barcelona, having coached Lyon to a 3-1 victory in the 2021-22 final, but acknowledges her side have a difficult task against "one of the best teams in Europe".

"When I was [Lyon] manager in 2022, we just beat Barcelona in the final and it was a huge challenge, but I think this one will be probably the biggest one in my career as a manager," she said.

"We need to turn the three goals up and also, we're playing against one of the best teams in Europe, if not the best team. It will be difficult.

"We will need to try everything and this is why we're talking about having a good mentality. I think the right mentality going into the game is to give everything, give our whole, and not to have any regrets at the end of the game."

Barcelona are targeting a third successive Women's Champions League title

Chelsea taking confidence from quarter-final comeback

Prior to Sunday's defeat in Barcelona, Chelsea had only lost once all season.

However, while Bompastor's side are not used to losing, they did overturn a two-goal deficit to defeat Manchester City in the quarter-finals - an experience captain Millie Bright believes stands them in good stead for Sunday.

"It's confidence, just reflection on when we played City at the Bridge and what we did in that game, especially in the first 45 minutes. It could have been more than 3-0," Bright said.

"We know what we're capable of. We just need to be at the races and be the first ones on the pitch demanding that intensity, setting the tone. It's our home turf and we need to be the ones leading that."

'Crazier things have happened'

Bompastor called on her players to show a reaction to Sunday's defeat and they will head into the second leg full of confidence after defeating Crystal Palace 4-0 in midweek.

But for former Arsenal player Anita Asante, overturning Barcelona's lead is "one step too far".

"[Chelsea] have got leaders in that group and experienced players who have won the Champions League with Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, the manager herself. They will have to carry that belief because that is what they're going to need to give them energy and bring the intensity into that game," she said.

"But Barcelona are the [defending] champions for a reason and that recent performance really reflected that."

Former England forward Ellen White said the challenge for Chelsea will be shutting out Barcelona's attacking threats.

"It's an uphill battle," she told BBC 5 Live Sport's Women's Football Weekly. "If you were to take 2-1 back to Stamford Bridge, I think I would be laughing. [But] 4-1 is a lot.

"Chelsea can sort a lot of goals, but can they not concede? Barca are going to score goals. They've got it in their locker. It's whether [Chelsea] can score enough goals and not concede against Barcelona. I'm not quite sure they could do that."

However, Jen Beattie offered a glimmer of hope for the Blues: "Look, crazier things have happened in European football lately. We've all seen how even 3-0 deficits aren't enough. [But] it's a huge task for them."