Chelsea defender Niamh Charles admits she has ‘grown hugely’ from bruising past defeats by Barcelona… as she sets her sights on finally getting the better of the Catalan giants to reach the Champions League final

Niamh Charles is still only 24 years old, but there was a sense that the Chelsea defender was maturing after last week’s 1-0 win over Barcelona.

The Catalans managed just one shot on target, while Charles and her teammates limited the reigning European champions to half-chances.

Charles was part of the Chelsea team that was defeated 4-0 by Barca in the 2021 final. The then 21-year-old defender had a particularly tough evening, just like many of her teammates.

In last season’s semi-final against Barcelona she showed a huge improvement, but there was still a gap.

The prospect of going up against Caroline Graham Hansen and Mariona Caldentey would terrify most defenders, but Charles looked unfazed in Spain last week. She looked confident and put on a performance that showed how much she has grown over the past three years.

Charles (left) was part of the Chelsea team that was defeated 4-0 by Barcelona in 2021

“I think my technical and tactical game has improved after hours on the training pitch,” says Charles. ‘But I think I’ve grown a lot, not only as a player, but also as a person. I’ve probably matured, gotten to know myself better.

‘How I deal with things, how I prepare for competitions. I think part of that is time. I wish it would have happened a little faster or just happened overnight, but at the same time you can’t manufacture that.

‘As a player and as a person I have become much better equipped to deal with certain things. I’m probably a little more consistent.’

While Charles and her teammates can be confident about Saturday’s second leg, the defender knows Barca will throw everything at them at Stamford Bridge.

“We are very aware that it is half time, we know that they are coming to raise their level,” says Charles.

“We all know how good the wingers are and how good they are in the whole team.

“If there is even a little bit of weakness, they will punish you. While it was a good start, it’s certainly just half time.

“We know we can’t just sit back, we’re going to have to really match that and everything they bring and hopefully we can come out on top.”

Ever since Emma Hayes announced she would be leaving Chelsea at the end of the season, there has been talk of a fairytale ending for the manager.

Ahead of the first leg, Erin Cuthbert said Hayes’ legacy would not be defined by a Champions League and that the motivation to win trophies was there regardless of her impending departure.

Charles (right) endured a difficult evening as Barcelona dominated the Champions League final three years ago

But Charles (pictured alongside Millie Bright) believes she has ‘grown massively’ after previous losses to Barcelona, ​​and it showed in last week’s win in Spain

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes (pictured) will leave at the end of the season, but Charles has insisted this has not given the players any extra motivation and they are just focused on winning.

Charles, who shared captaincy duties with Cuthbert this season, echoes these thoughts.

“Even though it’s her last season, it doesn’t cross my mind when it comes to adding motivation to competitions,” says Charles.

“Regardless of who leaves, we are here at this football club and the expectation is to win.

‘It has reinforced for me what the culture at this club means. “It’s a great story and she’s done so much for this club and it’s nice to get that, but as players we don’t focus on that.”