UCL Women's Preview: Glasgow City Ladies FC-v- Chelsea Ladies FC

Glasgow City FC welcome Chelsea Ladies FC to Excelsior Stadium on Wednesday evening in the second leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League last 32. Kick-off 7.30pm.

GLASGOW CITY

The Scottish Champions who are on the verge of being crowned domestic champions for a ninth straight season, head into Wednesday’s game trailing by one goal to nil after the first leg at Wheatsheaf Park.

Despite suffering a first defeat since being eliminated from the 2014-15 competition last March, City bounced back with a victory on Sunday when they defeated Rangers 2-0 in the SWF Scottish Cup with Ireland's Clare Shine among the scorers.

Ahead of Wednesday’s clash, Ireland international Denise O’Sullivan feels returning to winning ways was very important for her side as they look to overturn a slender deficit.

“Yeah for sure” She told Extratime.ie when asked if it was important to return to winning ways.

“It was the semi-final of the cup and we wanted to be coming away from that game with a spot in the final. There was a few changes made to the team for Sunday's game as players were rested, but we all knew whatever team was starting would do the job, and thankfully they did.”

Last week’s result, showed Glasgow had continued to develop since reaching the Quarter-Final’s and O’Sullivan feels her side can compete with some of Europe's club outfits despite not being a fully professional team.

“Yeah for sure I think a lot of people and of course Chelsea underestimated us going into the game, but we showed what we can do as a team and we for sure gave them a good game.”

As Glasgow is the seeded side in the tie due to their Champions League record, the second leg will be played on Airdrie FC’s 3G pitch and the midfielder believes this week’s clash will be a different game compared to last week while stating that her side are up for the battle against the Women’s Super League Champions.

“Well, I think it will be a different game to last week's first leg as Airdrie pitch is that bit bigger than what the other pitch was like. It will suit Chelsea but that doesn't scare us. We will be organised and prepared as a team and will give it our best shot to get some sort of result Wednesday night.”

CHELSEA LADIES

Chelsea Ladies make the trip to Glasgow aiming to advance to the last 16 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time. Emma Hayes’ side head into Wednesday's game defending a single goal lead after a wonder strike from Fran Kirby ensured they were victorious last Thursday evening.

Chelsea qualified for the competition after they finished second in last season’s WSL and they like their hosts on Wednesday evening avoided the qualifying group stages after receiving a bye to the last 32.

Despite finishing second in the 2014-15 side, Chelsea were recently crowned 2015-16 WSL 1 champions when they defeated Sunderland by four goals to nil on the final day of the season.

In addition to being crowned league champions, the Chelsea squad which contains eleven international stars, including Ireland international Niamh Fahey were also victories in the 2015 Women’s FA Cup when they defeated Notts County at Wembley in front of more than 30,000 fans.

Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (GER)

MATCH STATS

Chelsea have won their last three games since suffering defeat against Birmingham City LFC in the Continental Cup, scoring nine goals and conceding none.

Before the Chelsea defeat on Thursday, Glasgow had won their last six fixtures scoring twenty-nine goals, while keeping six clean sheets.

This is Glasgow’s second time meeting English opposition after they were eliminated by Arsenal in 2013.