English trio vie for Champions League semi-finalsMedia caption, Russo settles thrilling Champions League first-leg for ArsenalBySam DruryBBC Sport journalistPublished3 hours agoThe clocks have gone forward, a clear signal that the business end of the football season is upon us.For Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United that means a battle to reach the Women’s Champions League semi-finals.The English trio were involved in a pair of thrilling quarter-final first legs last week but nothing has been decided, with those ties concluding on Wednesday.The Women’s Super League is guaranteed at least one representative in the last four, with defending champions Arsenal taking on Chelsea in a mouth-watering contest.Renee Slegers’ Gunners hold the advantage after a 3-1 win at Emirates Stadium in the first leg but Chelsea are confident the tie is still there to be won.
Having overturned a 2-0 deficit to stun Manchester City at the same stage last season, that confidence is not unfounded.
“We know we can go to Stamford Bridge and turn this result around,” Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze told BBC Sport.
“We did it last year against City so there’s no reason we can’t do it again.
“We’ve got big players with big personalities who have been in this position before, who know how to win games. We know we’ve got it in us.”
The Blues will be buoyed by the return of striker Sam Kerr, who missed the first leg having been at the Asian Cup.
Having marked her return with a goal against Aston Villa on Sunday in the WSL, the Australia forward could yet have a significant role in the tie.
Arsenal, who warmed up for the second leg with a 5-2 win over north London rivals Tottenham on Saturday, are taking nothing for granted.
“We know the tie is nowhere near done,” Alessia Russo, whose goal in the first leg was her eighth in the competition this season, told BBC Sport.
