Fans lose faith in Chelsea after Barcelona’s dominant display

The Chelsea ladies are going to need a miracle at Stamford Bridge. Once again, the Blues met their match in Barcelona, falling 4-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Semifinals on Sunday. What was a hard-fought battle for a good chunk of the action descended into heartbreak in the final 10 minutes of play.

An incredibly manageable, perhaps even auspicious, 2-1 deficit ballooned following major defensive lapses in the 82nd and 90th minute. Chelsea is now tasked with overcoming a huge deficit at home, otherwise the club will taste UWCL anguish at the hands of Barca for the fourth time in five years.

Manager Sonia Bompastor was brought in to change this result, but unfortunately, deja vu seems destined to hit supporters hard. As far as most fans are concerned, Europe’s ultimate annual prize has already slipped out of their squad’s grasp.

Gripes flood social media after UWCL loss

“We can never defeat Barcelona,” @mazi_akinola said plainly. “Same old story, we forget how to play football against Barca,” @adamkustura bemoaned. “Worst performance of the season by far,” @RealTomHoskins remarked. “Biggest defeat for 17 months. Another bust of a season.”

After the initial disappointment set in, some tried to make sense of all the Barcelona-induced shortcomings. “We are not built for Europe, Recruitment has to be centred around Europe not just the league,” @Ruke_kvell noted. “If the player isn’t European standard enough then don’t buy period, and stop buying players past their best.”

Bompastor will sometimes receive criticism for devising conservative game plans that put Chelsea on the defense far too often. Following a showing in which the club surrendered four goals, people will certainly demand offensive aggression throughout the second leg. A focused defensive effort was not enough to hinder Barca reserve Claudia Pina, who scored twice in the second half.

Changes are needed, nay demanded, going into Sunday’s second showdown with FC Barcelona Femeni. If Sonia Bompastor can make the necessary adjustments, and her players execute to full capacity, then perhaps Chelsea’s Champions League woes can end in the most improbable fashion.

Can Chelsea stun the masses?

Some fans are keeping hope alive. “We lost our heads and conceded two late goals….. Gutted but until the final whistle in the second leg we must keep believing,” @dannoloye commented. “Let’s show them how Remontada {comeback} is done at the bridge,” @Iamlexprince declared. “Good play girls, heads up, we’ve got work to do.”

Chelsea F.C. Women have enjoyed an overall terrific season. If they can maintain their advantage in the Women’s Super League across their final four matches (lead Arsenal by three points) and then defeat Manchester United in the FA Women’s Cup Final on May 18, the Blues will claim the domestic treble for the second time ever.

Even so, the inability to conquer Barcelona on the big stage will loom large in the minds of supporters everywhere. That is, unless Chelsea flips the narrative on Fulham Road. The second leg takes place on April 27 at 9 a.m. ET.