Sonia Bompastor on facing former club: 'It will be full of emotion' | OneFootball

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor spoke about facing her former side ahead of this evening's clash away to OL Lyonnes.

The French manager had two stints with Lyon as a player and managed the team from 2021 to 2025, winning the Women's Champions League after defeating Barcelona in the final in May 2022.

"It will be full of emotion; that’s obvious," Bompastor said on her return to France.

"I’m not the only one on the staff or in this group of players – there are quite a few people who have played or coached here, in this great stadium.

"But there is a match to be played, and that’s the most important thing. My task will be to focus on the preparations and to make sure that my team arrives ready for the match."

Despite that, Bompastor doesn't feel any pressure on facing last year's runners-up: "I always want to do well. It doesn't matter what game it is. We've just come off another big game against Arsenal, and we want to shine, to win.

"Yes, this is a special moment, maybe a bit more charged with emotions, but we know how to detach ourselves from that; it’s part of our job. Emotionally and mentally, we know how to prepare so that the match remains the most important thing tomorrow."

The Blues have long been looking for Champions League glory of their own and Bompastor thinks they are close to European success: "We are not far away. I think we have a team full of quality, a team with a lot of talent, and so we have to approach matches one by one, and also have the mentality to be very competitive. We approach matches with this killer spirit against big opponents."

The last time these two teams faced each other, Emma Hayes' team won 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 draw against Bompastor's side in the 2022/23 quarter-finals.