Chelsea v Barcelona: Why slow start cost Chelsea in UWCL Final 2021 – tactical analysis

The 2021 UEFA Women’s Champions League reached its climax on Sunday night, with WSL champions Chelsea Women facing off against Primera Division winners Barcelona Femeni for the ultimate prize in European women’s football. The match in Gothenburg attracted plenty of attention, and was one of the most-anticipated matches of the season.

In this tactical analysis, we will look at Barcelona’s intense attacking start, as well as Chelsea’s mistakes and attacking improvements in the second half. Ultimately, this analysis will highlight the reasons why Chelsea’s slow start led to their downfall, whilst also reflecting on how Barcelona’s clever game plan meant they didn’t need to work too hard for the win.

Lineups

Chelsea Women made no changes from the Reading Women win on 9 May, which sealed the domestic title. That meant that winger Niamh Charles and versatile midfielder Jess Carter again played as full-backs, with Sweden’s Jonna Andersson on the bench and Norway international Maren Mjelde still recovering from a long-term injury. South Korea playmaker Ji So-yun lined up alongside Germany and former Bayern Munich midfielder Melanie Leupolz and Wales’ Sophie Ingle in midfield, whilst Australia striker Sam Kerr led the line, flanked by England’s Fran Kirby and Denmark star Pernille Harder.

Barcelona Femeni, meanwhile, made three changes from their Primera Division clash with UDG Tenerife, also on 9 May. Defender Jana Fernandez, wide attacker Mariona Caldentey and forward Bruna Vilamala all moved to the bench, with first-team regulars Mapi Leon, Caroline Graham Hansen and Jennifer Hermoso coming off it to start. Leon partnered midfielder Patri Guijarro in central defence, with France’s Kheira Hamraoui reverting to midfield and centre-back Andrea Pereira suspended. Norway international Hansen played in her usual right attacking role, whilst Spain star Hermoso led the line through the middle.