Chelsea cruise past Roma as five scorers fire Women’s Champions League win
Chelsea secured a comfortable 4-1 victory over AS Roma on Tuesday, advancing to the semi‑finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The Blues’ attacking trio of Sam Kerr, Erin Cuthbert, and Lauren James each found the net, while midfielder Guro Reiten added a late strike to complete a five‑goal haul.
Playing at Stamford Bridge in front of a buzzing home crowd, Chelsea completed a 6-2 aggregate win after a 2-1 loss in the first leg in Rome. Manager Emma Hayes praised her side’s resilience, noting that the team ‘showed the character to overturn the deficit and dominate when it mattered most.’
Key Details
The second‑leg fixture kicked off at 19:00 GMT and saw Chelsea take control from the outset. Sam Kerr opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a clinical finish from a cross by Reiten. Erin Cuthbert doubled the lead just before the half‑hour mark, tapping in a rebound after a saved shot from James.
Roma pulled one back in the 38th minute through Manuela Giugliano, but the Blues responded swiftly. Lauren James, who had been instrumental in the first leg, restored a two‑goal cushion with a precise curling effort from the edge of the box. In the 78th minute, Guro Reiten, who had already contributed an assist, rounded off the scoring with a low drive into the bottom corner.
The match also marked the first Champions League appearance of Chelsea’s new signing, Dutch midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk, who completed 85 minutes and added a key pass in the midfield battle.
Analysis and Background
Chelsea entered the tie as favourites, having finished second in the English Women’s Super League (WSL) and boasting a squad rich with international talent. Roma, meanwhile, were the surprise package of Serie A Femminile, securing a third‑place finish and their first ever deep run in Europe.
Historically, the two sides have met only once before, in the 2020‑21 quarter‑finals, where Chelsea also progressed after a 4-2 aggregate win. The repeat victory underscores the growing gap between the English and Italian women’s leagues, though Roma’s spirited performances suggest the gap is narrowing.
Tactically, Hayes set up a 4-3-3 formation that emphasized width and quick transitions. The full‑backs, especially Lucy Bronze, provided overlapping runs that stretched Roma’s back line, creating space for the front three. Roma attempted a compact defensive block, but the relentless pressing from Chelsea’s midfield forced errors and limited their ability to build from the back.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea now travel to Paris Saint‑Germain for the semi‑final first leg on 15 March, where they will face a PSG side that has been in scintillating form in the Division 1 Féminine. The tie promises a tactical chess match between Emma Hayes and PSG’s Didier Ollé‑Nicolle.
For Roma, the focus shifts back to the Serie A title race, where they sit just two points behind leaders Juventus. Their European exit will be a disappointment, but the experience gained could prove invaluable as they aim to challenge for domestic honours.
Emma Hayes concluded, “The girls showed why we belong among Europe’s elite. We’ll keep the momentum and aim to bring the trophy back to London.” The statement reflects Chelsea’s ambition to add another Champions League crown to their growing trophy cabinet.
