MY ACCOUNT
England suffered another injury scare as Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze was forced off during her side’s 1-0 win at Chelsea.
A new record crowd for a Women’s Champions League game in the UK of 27,697 watched on as Caroline Graham Hansen’s outstanding fourth-minute goal put Barca in control of the semi-final.
But just a day after skipper Leah Williamson was ruled out of the World Cup with an ACL injury, all eyes were on Bronze as the Lioness was substituted in the second half after going down off the ball with a knee injury.
Former England defender Gilly Flaherty said: “The cameras showed pictures of Lucy on the bench and she had her knee strapped up with ice around it.
“Sarina Wiegman is going to be hopeful it’s nothing too serious but we did see Lucy tried to walk on it and her leg kind of gave way, so that doesn’t look too promising.
“We know Lucy has managed injuries before, so we just need to hope she is doing that [ice] as a precaution and she can pull through it for England’s sake.”
Emma Hayes’ treble-chasing Blues will fancy their chances of turning the tie around when they head to the Camp Nou on Thursday.
But the fact Barcelona dominated at the Bridge cannot be overlooked.
The visitors enjoyed 70% of the possession and produced 16 shots to Chelsea’s six, suggesting it will be a tough task for the Londoners.
Yet former Blues star Pat Nevin believes Hayes can devise a masterplan to pull it off.
He said: “Emma is one of the best coaches around — and I mean anywhere.
“It’s not a terrible result against a very, very good side. At some point, however, you’ve got to let loose.”
Regardless of what happens in the return leg, crucial games are coming thick and fast for Hayes’ side.
The Women’s Super League champions have a hat-trick of home matches next month before tackling Manchester United in the FA Cup final on May 14.
Liverpool head to Kingsmeadow on May 3, Everton visit four days later and Leicester make the journey on May 10.
