Football Preview | Chelsea v Paris FC

Chelsea Women seek first European win of the season as Paris FC visit Stamford Bridge

They return to their home ground in their second group-stage match of the Women’s Champions League. 

Author | Lauren W

Stadium | Stamford Bridge

After being held to a frustrating 1–1 draw away at FC Twente, Sonia Bompastor’s side will be eager to take control of the group with a first European win of the campaign.

The visitors arrive in west London looking to make an impression of their own. Paris FC opened their campaign with a 2–2 home draw against OH Leuven and will view any points gained at Stamford Bridge as a major boost in their push for qualification.

Chelsea team news

Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles are both back in the squad, while Sjoeke Nüsken and Catarina Macario are available for selection. Sandy Baltimore also returns after missing the 1-0 win over Tottenham last weekend.

Last time out for Sonia Bompastor’s side 

Walsh’s wonder strike earned Chelsea a vital win over Spurs. The England midfielder’s first goal for the club seals victory for the champions after those two frustrating draws. The win lifts the champions to 16 points from six matches at the top of the WSL table.

A closer look at the opposition

Paris FC endured a summer of significant change, losing several key figures including forwards Mathilde Bourdieu and Kessya Bussy, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and long-serving captain Gaëtane Thiney, who retired. Head coach Sandrine Soubeyrand has since rebuilt her squad with a younger core, bringing in goalkeeper Mylène Chavas from Real Madrid, defender Anaële Le Moguédec from Reims, and forward Lorena Azzaro from Strasbourg. All three have quickly established themselves as regular starters.

Soubeyrand’s side sit second in their league but have shown signs of inconsistency, slipping to a 3-1 defeat against Nantes before their European draw with Leuven. There are no reported injury concerns ahead of their trip to London, and the French side are expected to field a full-strength line-up.