Another season, another Women's Champions League failure for Chelsea. Despite their domestic dominance, the Blues were handed a humiliating 8-2 aggregate defeat by Barcelona in the semi-finals, marking their third consecutive exit at this stage to the Spanish giants.

Bompastor's Assessment

Sonia Bompastor, who was brought in specifically to win the Champions League, did not shy away from the harsh reality. "It didn't happen this year, but now we need to reflect on how we make it possible," she said. "The only positive is that in my head, it is really clear what we need to do to compete for the Champions League."

The Gap Between Chelsea and Barcelona

The gulf between the two teams was evident. Barcelona's clinical finishing and relentless pressure left Chelsea reeling. Former England midfielder Karen Carney remarked, "The gulf you have seen between the two teams is absolutely huge." Bompastor, however, believes the scoreline does not fully reflect the difference in quality. "Barcelona are a really good team, but the difference between the teams is not that much," she added.

Does the Exit Make the Season a Failure?

Despite the disappointment, Bompastor remains optimistic. "It will have been a good season if we win the Women's Super League title and the FA Cup," she said. Chelsea are on the verge of securing the WSL title and have the FA Cup final against Manchester United to look forward to.

What Next for Chelsea?

Bompastor is clear about the steps needed to bridge the gap to Europe's elite. "I know what is needed for Chelsea to make the next step and win the Champions League," she said. Captain Millie Bright echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of learning from the experience. "Lessons learned - you just can't make big mistakes against teams like that," she said.

Conclusion

While the Champions League exit is a bitter pill to swallow, Chelsea still have much to play for this season. Bompastor's vision and the team's resilience will be key as they aim to close the gap to Barcelona and finally conquer Europe.