Chelsea captain Magda Eriksson says that the 2020/2021 UEFA Women’s Champions League final defeat to Barcelona is not the only motivator when the two sides renew their rivalry at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
Two heavyweights of the women’s game meet at The Bridge in the first leg of this season’s semi-finals. Chelsea continue their quest for a first European title while Barcelona are chasing their second tournament win. Barcelona defeated Chelsea 4-0 when the two sides last met in the 2020/2021 UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Gothenburg, Sweden.
When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Chelsea captain Eriksson said that the 2020/2021 final defeat will drive her side on, however, it won’t be the only motivating factor.
“That game is one of the motivations that we will use but the fact that we are in the Champions League semi-final is enough motivation for us,” Eriksson said. “This is the trophy that we are hungry for.
“Of course, the final that we lost a couple of years’ ago motivates us but just the fact that we are in this game motivates us as well.
“The girls have had a really good training week and you can sense that this is a special game. The team are together and are really ready for this challenge.”
Eriksson went on to say that while Barcelona are a world-class football team, Chelsea have developed and they are ready for the challenge.
She said “Barcelona have an amazing attacking line-up regardless of who starts the game. They’ve got some really good options upfront.
“I think we have absolutely improved at the back, I think we have improved in all areas of the pitch.
“As a team, we have grown in experience, we know what it takes to reach a final now and play a final. We have learned from those experiences and hopefully, we can be really together as a team, defend together, do everything together and we will see where that takes us.”
Chelsea’s UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final, first leg tie against Barcelona kicks-off at 12.30pm this afternoon.