La Real target Chelsea upset in London Women’s Champions League qualifier | OneFootball

La Real visit Chelsea tonight in the Women’s Champions League qualifying first leg, clear underdogs yet intent on keeping the tie alive. Kick-off is 19:45, one hour earlier in England, at Cherry Red Records Stadium in Wimbledon.

According to Diario Vasco, only six La Real players have featured in this competition, for 20 games in total, whereas 23 of Chelsea’s 25 have European experience, combining for 658 appearances. That gulf leaves the Londoners as firm favourites.

Arturo Ruiz’s side aim to lean on combination play, energy and a combative edge, and to return with a positive or at least recoverable scoreline. The second leg is next Wednesday at 19:00 in Zubieta.

Chelsea missed automatic entry to the league phase after finishing third in the last Women’s Super League behind City and Arsenal. Summer exits include Sam Kerr, retired captain Millie Bright, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Macario, while recruits include Katie McCabe, Manaka Matsukubo, Melvine Malard, Giulia Dragoni and Nelly Las, with Mayra, Cuthbert and Matsukubo injured.

La Real are without María Molina and Sonya Keefe, and Aiara Agirrezabala has a hamstring problem, will not go to the Spain under-20 World Cup and is doubtful for the return. Ruiz can call on Ava Seelenfreund, Ainhoa Marín, Ainoa Campo, Laura Camino and Esther Laborde.

Progress would be lucrative, with 505,000 euros guaranteed for participation and further prize money per result. Defeat would send La Real into the Europa Cup.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”