Chelsea Women travel to France on Wednesday night to face OL Lyonnes in their second UEFA Women’s Champions League league-phase fixture.
Chelsea Women return to European action just days after their 1-0 WSL victory over Arsenal, with Sonia Bompastor’s side facing a significant test in the league phase.
The Blues travel to the Groupama Stadium to take on OL Lyonnes, who made a huge statement in their opening European fixture.
Chelsea began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Austria Wien, but Lyon were even more impressive, beating Servette 8-0.
Now, Bompastor returns to her former club with Chelsea looking to take another step towards the knockout stages.
How Did OL Lyonnes Start Their Champions League Campaign?
Chelsea know they will face a side coming off an emphatic opening-night performance.
The French club put eight goals past Servette, recording the biggest winning margin since the Women’s Champions League moved to its league-phase format.
That result immediately highlighted the attacking threat Chelsea will have to deal with.
The Blues, meanwhile, had to work much harder for their opening three points, with a 1-0 victory over Austria Wien getting their European campaign off to a winning start.
With both sides now meeting on Matchday 2, Chelsea will face a significant step up in opposition.
Why Is Sonia Bompastor's Return to Lyon Significant?
The fixture will have an added emotional element for Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor.
The former France international enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Lyon as both a player and manager before taking over at Chelsea in 2024.
Her return to the Groupama Stadium will therefore be one of the main storylines surrounding Wednesday night’s match.
Bompastor will know the club and its strengths better than most, but she will also be aware of the challenge her current team faces against a Lyon side that has started the European campaign with an 8-0 victory.
How Did Chelsea Respond to Their Arsenal Victory?
Chelsea could hardly have asked for a better result domestically before heading to France.
Alyssa Thompson scored the only goal as the Blues defeated Arsenal 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, securing another important WSL victory.
Chelsea’s defensive performance will be an encouraging sign ahead of the trip to Lyon, with the Blues preserving their lead despite facing pressure from Arsenal.
Now they must combine that defensive discipline with greater attacking threat if they are to take anything from France.
Could Johanna Rytting Kaneryd Face Her Former Chelsea Teammates?
There could also be a reunion involving former Chelsea winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
The Sweden international joined Lyon on a permanent deal during the summer and could now face her former club in a major European fixture.
Her knowledge of Chelsea could give Lyon an additional insight into Bompastor’s side, while Chelsea will also know the qualities she can bring to the French team’s attack.
Chelsea and OL Lyonnes Team News
Chelsea’s latest fixture information confirms the trip to France as the first of three European away matches during the league phase.
The Blues will be hoping their squad comes through the demanding schedule after Sunday’s London derby victory.
Lyon will head into the fixture with confidence after their eight-goal opening-night performance
How to Watch OL Lyonnes vs Chelsea Women
OL Lyonnes vs Chelsea kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 30 September at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
The match will be shown live on Disney+ in the UK, with the streaming service carrying every Women’s Champions League match this season.
What Does the Result Mean for Chelsea?
Chelsea’s second league-phase fixture gives them an early opportunity to measure themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides.
A positive result in Lyon would give Chelsea another valuable result in the league phase, while Bompastor’s return to her former club adds another storyline to the fixture.
After beating Arsenal at the weekend, Chelsea now face another major test — this time on the European stage.
