Lucy Bronze has been ruled out of Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea on Thursday after undergoing knee surgery that has made her a potential doubt for England’s World Cup squad.
Bronze limped off during the second half of the first leg on Saturday, which Barcelona won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a goal from Caroline Graham Hansen.
Barcelona announced on Wednesday that Bronze would be unavailable for the return fixture at Camp Nou after undergoing arthroscopy on her right knee.
Bronze’s injury provides a fresh concern for Sarina Wiegman, England’s head coach, given the captain, Leah Williamson, will definitely miss this summer’s World Cup because of injury and Beth Mead is highly likely to join her on the sidelines. Barcelona do not expect Bronze to be out for long, however. Their manager, Jonatan Giráldez, said: “She has a strain, an ailment. It’s a tiny intervention, just a couple of weeks.”
Successful knee surgery! 🏥
— Lucy Bronze (@LucyBronze) April 26, 2023
In very good spirits after my knee op yesterday. Thankful for all the kind messages, I couldn't ask for better support 🫶🏻
Currently working hard towards a speedy recovery to get back on the pitch with my team 💛
See you all very soon 🙌🏻 LFG! pic.twitter.com/jQnxCH7P78
Emma Hayes was in a confident mood speaking from Camp Nou at the pre-match press conference. “You suffer more against Barcelona than any other team,” the Chelsea manager said.
“It’s a football match, nobody denies that they are a fantastic football team but if we play at a high level, we can make it a competitive game.”
Barcelona have declared Alexia Putellas fit. The two-times Ballon d’Or winner has not played since last July, the Spain midfielder having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the eve of Euro 2022.
Giráldez has pleaded for caution, saying: “The priority tomorrow is to qualify for the final. As a coach I will not take any risk if she is not 100%.”
The west London side will have to turn around the deficit without Kadeisha Buchanan, for whom the game has come too soon.
Hayes said: “There was a slim chance she could have been available. Ankle injury. It’s not long term but it’s a ligament that might take another week, a couple or three weeks. We have to take it day by day with her.”
Chelsea’s manager had a more pessimistic outlook on Fran Kirby’s chances of playing football any time soon. “Fran wanted to come with the team. I don’t have any more updates. She has been on the grass a little bit, but we’ve had to manage it day by day.
“I don’t have a timeline for her. It’s an issue in her knee. Sometimes it goes well then we have setbacks.”
