Emma Hayes’ side face the Catalan giants over two legs on 20 April and 27 April, with the latter taking place at Stamford Bridge and kicking off at 5.30pm. Another bumper crowd is expected following our Women's Super League clash with Arsenal at the Bridge last month, which attracted 32,970 supporters - a record for a Chelsea Women home game.

The Blues are aiming to reach a second Women's Champions League final, following our 2021 defeat to Barcelona, who also eliminated us last year at the semi-final stage. An aggregate win this time around would take us to Bilbao for a potential decisive showdown with either Paris Saint-Germain or Lyon.

• Get your tickets for Chelsea vs Barcelona in the Women's Champions League semi-finals at Stamford Bridge

Karen Carney, one of England’s all-time greats, spent three successful years at Chelsea until her retirement from the game in 2019. That included a run to the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition in her final season.

Back in 2016, Carney featured in the Blues' maiden competitive fixture at Stamford Bridge, also in Europe, a round of 32 clash with Wolfsburg. Although it was only eight years ago, reflecting on that night feels like another world for Carney, particularly compared to how the current Blues side have made the Bridge home.

'I think the Champions League game I remember playing here against Wolfsburg, it was a great experience, but off the top of my head I think we had 4,000 or so in that night. This game has already sold 15,000, weeks away, and will no doubt will be a sell-out.

'So the change since then is massive, and for the fans you can't miss this game. The women’s team here have been incredible, winning trophy after trophy and now desperately want that Champions League trophy as well.

'It will be a great game. It is always going to be difficult against Barcelona of course, as current champions we know how good they are.

'But it will be a great game. For any fan of the women’s game, even if you’re neutral, to come down to the Bridge and watch the calibre of players on display that night will be incredible. They are some of the best in the world.'

As our former captain points out, the challenge is huge, but Carney believes having a packed Stamford Bridge could make a major difference and give Hayes' team the boost needed to reach another European final.

Every home tie of the Blues' Champions League campaign so far has been played in SW6 and Carney is sure that familiarity will breed confidence for the biggest challenge of the season so far.

‘The big stage is so familiar to them now that I really think they can go out there, express themselves, and play to their best. Part of me always wants them to treat this as a special occasion, though.

‘They should be used to playing in front of huge crowds and they should be consistently looking forward to them, but equally a big Champions League night like this will always feel different, always feel special.

‘I really hope the stadium is full, I have no doubts it will be, and there’ll be plenty of support for the players just to give them the final edge they might need against this Barcelona team.

‘It’s massive to have a packed out Stamford Bridge. When you’re out there in a big stadium like this you realise what a fan can do for you as a player. You never want to be reliant on the atmosphere, but it can give you so much more in terms of energy.

‘It’s the one thing you really miss when you retire, the buzz of the ground, the noise when the ball hits the back of the net and the stadium erupting.'

Carney was here for that 3-1 win over Arsenal, where the biggest home attendance in Chelsea Women history was recorded on a Friday night. A unexpected delay that night - due to an issue with the Gunners' socks - only saw the atmosphere build further.

‘The DJ was quality that night,' added Carney. 'He was unbelievable, the vibe of the whole evening was next level. Women’s football is such fun, you walk in with a smile on your face, you have a really enjoyable experience.

'I was here working for that Friday night game against Arsenal, so I was pitchside and you got a real sense of the scale of the noise around the stadium. It was bouncing.

'It was loud, it was vibrant, everyone was happy, dancing about and creating an atmosphere and that was before the game. After hearing that I wanted to go out afterwards!

'But that is what these big occasions should be all about. You want that energy, that hype and that enjoyment.'

You can still buy your tickets for our UEFA Women's Champions League home leg with Barcelona - click here to secure your seat at the Bridge.