Chelsea's Johanna Rytting Kaneryd raring to go for Barcelona UWCL test | OneFootball

Chelsea will come face-to-face with their nemesis Barcelona when the two sides meet again in the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals later this month.

The Blues are bidding to lift the trophy for the first time in what will be coach Emma Hayes's final season at the club, but to do so they must overcome the side who beat them in the 2021 final and eliminated them at the semi-final stage of the competition a year ago.

The Women's Super League champions will be at home in the second leg this time around, however, and supporters can buy tickets for that crunch clash at Stamford Bridge on 27th April here.

One of the stars of the club's season so far is Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, with the Swedish international midfielder providing four goals and seven assists in 33 appearances this term.

And speaking exclusively to OneFootball, Rytting Kaneryd explains why she feels the Blues will be better equipped to handle the challenge of European champions Barcelona this time around.

"I think we have had a great season so far, but we are not happy yet!" she said.

"We still need to take every game for what it is, I think Barcelona was better than us last year and this year we’ve developed a lot, in a lot of our game - we’re scoring more goals and we’re physically stronger this year.

"This year, we have found ways to win games even when we are not playing our best so I think it will be harder for Barcelona this time.

"Barcelona is obviously a really good team, and we can’t relax at all, but our game management has been much better this year."

Chelsea Women enjoyed their biggest ever home attendance in the club's history when they took on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the WSL last month, with goals from Lauren James and a Sjoeke Nüsken giving them a 3-1 victory in front of 32,970 fans that night.

Rytting Kaneryd hopes an even bigger crowd can inspire them to a similar result in the second leg of their semi-final tie with Barcelona.

"It’s something special playing at Stamford Bridge and of course Champions League games are also something different which we don’t always play during the season, so when we do play it is a very special feeling," she said.

"With the fans there supporting us too, it’s an amazing environment and you enjoy every second of it."

After chipping in with one goal and three assists in her debut season at the club last year, Rytting Kaneryd's influence has increased this term.

She describes her move from BK Häcken to Chelsea as "probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever taken in my career" and explains what has been behind her development this season.

"I think you need one year to come into the environment here and it is a tough and hard environment to come into," she said.

"I feel like last year was a lot about learning and this year is more about development and taking every chance I am given.

"I think from the beginning, Emma has been clear with me about my role, and I think I have been getting a lot out of my playing style.

"I’m enjoying it, having fun, and feeling like I’m in a good shape which is really important to be able to do the things I need to do during the games.

"I’m a player that loves to go one on one during the game and use my speed and to do that I need to be in a good physical form, which I feel like I am.

"Also, psychologically, I feel like I have a lot of confidence and my role is clear and I know what to do and I believe in myself which is the key."

Get your tickets for the huge Chelsea vs Barcelona Champions League semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge here.