Chelsea return to Women’s Champions League action and host Real Madrid in Sofia Bompastor’s first match at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, semi-finalists in each of the last two seasons, are looking to make the next step in Europe and have turned to a proven winner in Bompastor following the departure of Emma Hayes.
The Frenchwoman has won the Champions League as both a player and a coach with Lyon, and was beaten in last year’s final by Barcelona while still in charge of the French club.
Chelsea have drawn Real Madrid, Celtic and FC Twente in Group B and have won both of their first two games this season, with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa and a 7-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
Real Madrid have won their first five games of the season in Liga Feminin and will be looking to get out of the group stages this season. The Spanish side also faced Chelsea in the groups last season, but finished bottom and were winless.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Chelsea vs Real Madrid?
The Champions League fixture will kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 8 October at Stamford Bridge.
How can I watch it?
Matches in this season’s Women’s Champions League will be broadcast live and free on streaming platform DAZN and their YouTube channel throughout the world.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Team news
Chelsea hand a start to 19-year-old midfielder Wieke Kaptein while Sandy Baltimore lines up at left back – with no Erin Cuthbert in the squad.
Lauren James starts and Mayra Ramirez returns to lead the line, with Aggie Beever-Jones dropping to the bench.
Linda Caicedo is on the bench for Real Madrid, who start former Chelsea midfielder Melanie Leupolz. Caroline Weir leads the line for the visitors.
Confirmed line-ups
Chelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Bjorn, Baltimore; Kaptein, Nusken; Rytting Kaneryd, James, Reiten; Ramirez
Real Madrid XI: Misa; Garcia, Lakrar, Mendez, Carmona; Leupolz, Angeldal, Teresa; Del Castillo, Weir, Redondo
