Barcelona 0-1 Chelsea: Irene Paredes says Barca can 'turn it around' in Champions League semi-final second leg
Last updated on .From the section Women's Football
Barcelona are confident they can "turn it around" in the second leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, says defender Irene Paredes.
The holders are 1-0 down on aggregate after Erin Cuthbert's goal gave Chelsea victory in Spain and inflicted Barca's first loss at home since February 2019.
The sides meet again at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 27 April.
"It's true that we're not used to being behind," said Paredes.
"The team is capable; we're mentally strong and we're hurt by losing the match but at the same time, we're calm because we know we can turn it around".
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Barcelona have been formidable in recent years and beat Chelsea in last season's semi-finals before going on to win the competition.
Paredes, who was also part of Spain's 2023 World Cup-winning squad, said the second leg at Stamford Bridge will be the "most decisive" match of her career.
She said: "There are things to improve, but we have a week to prepare, and we're going there to win".
"In the end, it's either you move forward or you're out. But this team is used to putting everything on the line in one match."
'Barcelona have another level in them'
Emma Hayes said "nobody should get carried away" despite Chelsea's victory at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
"It's just half-time," the Blues manager said. "To be honest I'm disappointed we didn't get the second goal so I'm a little frustrated."
Cuthbert struck five minutes before half-time as Chelsea effectively stifled the European champions in front of 36,428 fans in Catalonia.
Chelsea's five-player defence ensured Barcelona did not have a shot on target until second-half injury time.
But Hayes is wary of a side who have won two Women's Champions League titles and thumped Chelsea 4-0 in the 2021 final.
"Barcelona have another level in them and I think that's clear," she told DAZN. "Maybe they don't feel they were at their best today and we have to anticipate that."
Chelsea drew 1-1 at Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-final last season - only for Caroline Graham Hansen's fourth-minute goal to win the tie for the Spaniards in the second match in London.
"Barcelona are champions and they will be angry," Hayes said. "They will come to Stamford Bridge knowing they completely outperformed us this time last year in our stadium. We're in exactly the same position as yesterday, we're just at the half-way point and 1-0 up. That's it."
