Barca confident of ousting Chelsea to make third consecutive final

 

April 27

 

BARCELONA are confident of achieving their goal of reaching a third consecutive Champions League final when they host Chelsea on Thursday, boasting a 1-0 advantage from the semi-final first leg.

 

The Catalans, who lifted the trophy as part of a treble in 2021 with a 4-0 romp over the Blues, have reached three finals in the last four seasons.

 

With Olympique Lyon eliminated by Chelsea — the French side beat Barcelona in the other two finals — Jonatan Giraldez’s team are favourites to lift the trophy again.

 

Caroline Graham Hansen struck early at Stamford Bridge last weekend to give her side the lead in the tie and although Chelsea clung on to give themselves a lifeline, Barcelona will relish their chances playing at Camp Nou.

 

Giraldez’s side have scored 23 goals in just four games at home in the Champions League this season, conceding just once, when they crushed Roma 5-1 in the quarter-finals.

 

“I think we had control, we got the goal and could have scored a couple more, but, in the end, it was a really good game,” Graham Hansen told reporters Tuesday.

 

“If you see our statistics in recent years, we have lost away from home (in Europe). We have still gone through, but the away games have been tough.

 

“Now we have a great chance to reach another final here at home in front of our fans.”

 

The Norwegian forward says that triumphing in Europe is the club’s main goal once again — they are poised to lift Liga F on Sunday, a competition in which they have 60 consecutive victories.

 

“Our big objective this season is to win the Champions League and if we get to the final we are one step closer to that,” added the winger.

 

“I promise I will do everything in my power to achieve it.” — AFP