The key questions as Chelsea Women reach their first Champions League final

Chelsea Women reached their first Champions League final after overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich.

Emma Hayes’ side won 4-1 at Kingsmeadow to become only the second English team to reach the final after Arsenal in 2007.

Chelsea will play Barcelona in Gothenburg on May 16. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some key questions surrounding the club’s recent success.

– How did Chelsea reach the final?

Chelsea have suffered Champions League heartbreak at the semi-final stage twice before, in 2018 and 2019, losing to Wolfsburg and Lyon respectively, but have finally reached the final, overcoming Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich to get there.

– Can Chelsea make history?

Hayes will become the first woman in 12 years to coach a side in the final and Chelsea could also be the first club to do the women’s and men’s double, with Thomas Tuchel’s side also still in the competition. And if their Women’s Super League form is anything to go by, Chelsea are more than capable.

– What can Chelsea expect from Barcelona?

Barcelona will be a difficult test having knocked out Paris St Germain and Manchester City on their route to Sweden, and they have more experience than Chelsea, having been runners-up in 2019.

– What will the final look like?

The final will take place at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg – the first time the Women’s Champions League final has been held in Sweden – and the controversial VAR technology will be in use.

– What does it mean for Chelsea’s future?

Chelsea could yet win the quadruple this season after their European feat, something Arsenal achieved in their European cup-winning run in 2007.

They have already lifted the League Cup this season, and victory in their remaining two Women’s Super League matches against Tottenham and Reading would bring another piece of silverware.

–How have Chelsea developed in recent years?

The Blues were founding members of the Women’s Super League, but have become a powerhouse in recent years, winning the title three times since 2015.