Lucy Bronze spoke about the performance of **Chelsea**in a 1-1 draw against Barcelona.
The Blues took the lead at Stamford Bridge through Ellie Carpenter before **Ewa Pajor**equalised for the visitors. However, the hosts remained intense, energetic, and disciplined, only starting to ‘suffer’ in their deep defence more in a second half where they were still on a level playing field.
Facing her old club, Bronze was proud of her teammates, who should take a lot of confidence.
“I have played for Barcelona and I know the heights that they can reach. I also know that you can't maintain that performance throughout the season, it's difficult.
“It's more difficult for them this year with the likes of Patricia Guijarro missing, and Salma Paralluelo missing, two keys players that even coming on as a sub can make a huge difference.
"That's the good thing about the way the Champions League is this year, with the league [format], each game is so competitive and you have to just come out with your best team and give it your all.
“Barcelona* are a great team and tonight doesn't take anything away from them, we just played our game really well.*
"In the first half [we frustrated them], and then we had that break and we were thinking 'this is only going to serve Barcelona well'. To be fair we did well to keep the momentum. I think we lost it a little bit, so that was not helpful from the telly.
"I think it was the way that we pressed, allowing Cata Coll to come out with the ball and everybody picking up their players. I was saying to Naomi Girma after the game that we were playing chess. I'm more tired from talking and having to look and check my shoulder than actually running.
“It was something that we have only been able to practice for the past two days with the quick turnaround, so we are pretty pleased with how we set up and how we played the game.
“Then the second half we knew it was coming and that we would have to suffer a little bit, and we did, but the chances and shots they had were few and far between.
“With the younger players in the team, the starting eleven is full of 20 year olds. So for them to play against Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmti, Ballon d'Or winners, probably idols growing up, so to go toe to toe with them and be like 'I can match up and I can do this', it is a big psychological test.
“It's put us in good stead not only for the Champions League but the league as well.
*“We could have won the game on the night. We probably had the better chances but Barcelona are a great team. Coming into the game no one expected the game to turn out like that, maybe apart from the players ourselves at Chelsea.”*