Bompastor captained Lyon when they were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by Wolfsburg in the 2013 Women’s Champions League final, held at the Bridge. A decade later, she was in charge of the Lyon side that won the second leg of our Champions League quarter-final 2-1, only to be beaten on penalties by the Blues with Ann-Katrin Berger our hero.

Those disappointing memories are understandably etched in Bompastor’s mind. Speaking at a media conference at Cobham, she did not hide her excitement at the thought of forging happier moments in SW6 in the colours of Chelsea.

‘It’s a really special competition, which means a lot to every player and every member of staff,’ Bompastor underlined.

‘We are really excited to get started, especially as the first game is at home at Stamford Bridge. I’m really excited because I’m in the Chelsea dugout and I’m the Chelsea manager. I can’t wait to be in that position, to enjoy the game and to be out there with the players and the fans.

‘The Champions League is so competitive,’ she added. ‘You cannot underestimate any team. Real Madrid have had some changes in their squad, they’ve brought some new players, and they are different from last season.

‘For me and the staff who have come in, it’s the first time we are going to face Real Madrid. I know they are one of the most competitive teams in the Spanish league, and how many talented players they have in the squad. They love to possess the ball. It’s will be a tough game, and we are ready for that. For the fans in the stadium and watching on TV, it will be a great game.’

• Tickets for tonight's game are still available!

Chelsea come into our Champions League opener having not played since the 7-0 demolition of Crystal Palace the Friday before last.

That is because our home fixture with Manchester United, scheduled for Sunday, was postponed at late notice because of its proximity to the Real Madrid clash. Bompastor explained why this late alteration has affected her and her team’s build-up for the visit of the Spanish side, and detailed what she hopes changes over the rest of the campaign.

‘We were disappointed, players and staff,’ Bompastor told the media.

‘Everyone should understand we were supposed to play, we were in a very good team dynamic, and not having to the opportunity to play this weekend changed everything in preparation for the game on Tuesday against Real Madrid. When you have the opportunity to play one game a week, with this decision being made and the game postponed, now we have been out of competition for ten days, which is completely different.

‘The decision is not good, and it’s not good for all the English clubs who are in the Champions League. The league is a professional league, they need to know about the rules, and I said to the league my thoughts. That’s good enough for me. For them it’s good to have our feedback.

‘We should be proud to have three English clubs in the Champions League this year, and the decisions made throughout the season in this league have to be to help the English clubs compete in the Champions League.’