Arsenal and Chelsea prove WSL success in Women's Champions League is 'closer than ever'

That's the view of former Arsenal and England star Lianne Sanderson, who believes the gap between English and European clubs is shrinking significantly.

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For the first time in the history of the competition, two English teams made it to the semi-finals of the tournament this year, showing clear progress.

But it was not to be for the English sides as Arsenal were knocked out by a last-minute goal in extra time from Wolfsburg, while Chelsea bowed out in a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.

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An English team has only won the Women's Champions League once, in 2007 when Arsenal beat Swedish side Umea 1-0 in the final and the tournament was called the UEFA Women's Cup.

Sanderson was part of the Gunners' team that made history in 2007 and she told talkSPORT that one of the biggest obstacles to an English side lifting the trophy is Barcelona - a side that has dominated Spanish football for more than a decade.

"I do think there is a big difference between the quality of Barcelona and most teams. I think they are the best footballing team in the world. When you watch them play live, they're just far superior," she explained.

"The quality that Barcelona have, they play like the men used to with Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. They're so organised."

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Barcelona won their first national league title in 2012 and, since then, have either won or finished second.

The current Barcelona squad boasts names including two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, three-time Champions League winner Lucy Bronze and the most expensive signing in women's history Keira Walsh.

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"I feel like the way they play football - it's just different," added Sanderson. "It's difficult because a team like Chelsea are used to having a lot of the ball, they're used to having a lot of possession in the WSL but, against Barcelona, you have to be OK with not having the ball and making sure that you make the most of it when you do."

After the 2021 Champions League final, Chelsea vowed to come back stronger after suffering a devastating 4-0 defeat to Barcelona, conceding all four goals within 36 minutes.

But although Emma Hayes' side were denied their revenge against Barcelona, Sanderson had lots of praise for the Chelsea manager who has led her side to five WSL titles and four FA Cup wins.

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She said: "Emma Hayes at Chelsea is the best at recruiting, putting together rosters, bringing in the players, keeping them happy.

"You know, Ji So Yun was at the club for nearly ten years and not many foreign players come over and stay for long periods of time."

Losses by both Arsenal and Chelsea mean the Champions League final will be contested by Barcelona and Wolfsburg in the PSV Stadium in Eindhoven on 3 June.

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But Sanderson believes English teams could come to challenge the dominance of teams like Barcelona before long.

She finished: "Bridging that gulf between the teams, I think we're closer than we were before - I mean, you've only got to look at the 2021 final when the game was already over in the first 20 minutes - whereas over the two legs Barcelona realised they had to really be at their best to beat Chelsea.

"(Chelsea) didn't make it easy at Camp Nou."

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