Chelsea Women Host Austria Vienna in Champions League Opener

Chelsea Women begin their Women’s Champions League campaign on Wednesday night when Austria Vienna visit the Cherry Red Records Stadium, with Sonia Bompastor’s side seeking a strong home result to set the tone for the new European phase.

Chelsea return to Europe after qualifying success

The London club reached the main competition by beating Real Sociedad 6-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying round. Their objective is to make a deeper run than last season, when Arsenal ended Chelsea’s European campaign in the quarter-finals.

Bompastor’s team face an Austria Vienna side entering the competition for the first time. The visitors earned their place after finishing above the long-standing Austrian champions St Polten in the domestic league and then eliminating Brann in qualifying.

Chelsea are expected to take the initiative at home, but their head coach has warned that the Austrian side’s route into the tournament demonstrates the scale of the challenge.

Bompastor expects a disciplined Austria Vienna

Bompastor praised the visitors’ domestic achievement and their qualifying victory over Brann, describing them as a side capable of posing both physical and tactical problems.

She said Chelsea’s preparations are complete, while stressing that Austria Vienna arrive without the burden of expectation. As underdogs, Bompastor believes they will have freedom to play, making it important for her players to approach the fixture with the correct level of confidence rather than complacency.

• Chelsea qualified with a 6-2 aggregate win against Real Sociedad.
• Austria Vienna finished first in their league, ahead of St Polten.
• The Austrian side beat Brann to reach the competition.
• Chelsea were knocked out by Arsenal in last season’s quarter-finals.

Lauren James held back as Arsenal match approaches

Lauren James will not feature against Austria Vienna after sustaining a minor knock in training last Friday. Chelsea have opted against risking the forward in the opening European fixture, with Bompastor expecting her to be available at the weekend.

The decision comes before a significant Women’s Super League meeting with London rivals Arsenal. Chelsea’s management want James fully fit for that domestic contest rather than exposing her to unnecessary risk in midweek.

Opening night across the competition

Elsewhere on Wednesday, reigning champions Barcelona host Paris FC, while eight-time winners Lyon travel to Servette Chenois. OH Leuven’s match against Roma is also part of the opening schedule.

For Chelsea, three points in front of their own supporters would provide an early platform for the campaign and reinforce their ambition to reassert themselves among Europe’s leading sides.