The Spanish side visit Stamford Bridge for our Group B opener tonight, which will be the first occasion Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor - a Champions League winner as a player and a manager with Lyon – leads out the Blues in the competition.

Few in European football can rival Bompastor's Champions League pedigree. But one is defender Lucy Bronze, a five-time winner in the competition and another who arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer.

And Bright believes the experience of our new additions could bolster our bid to make history and win the Women's Champions League for the first time.

'It [having Bompastor's experience] is massive,' our captain told the media in the pre-match press conference. 'Everyone knows at Chelsea that our winning mentality has been embedded in us for several years.

'With Sonia coming in and the likes of Lucy joining, they add to that mentality. They have got over that final line which we are yet to do.

'Sonia has that experience as a player and a manager, and we've got Lucy as well. It's things like that that take you that extra mile. As a whole we're very different now, we're on a new journey and it's an exciting one.'

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Preparing to play on club football's biggest stage is nothing new to Bright, but it remains as enticing as ever.

'The memories I've got with Chelsea over several years now - we've been on an incredible journey with many ups and downs,' Bright added.

'It's a competition we definitely don't shy away from. It's one that we want to go all the way in, but there is a process in doing that.

'We've had special nights at the Bridge in the Champions League and some incredible results. The power of playing in this campaign is amazing. It's one that we're excited to get going.'

This is the third consecutive season we have faced Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage. And although they are familiar opposition, our skipper knows there can be no complacency.

Last term, our European campaign began with a 2-2 draw in the Spanish capital before the Blues prevailed 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge. Those three points secured our place in the quarter-finals as group winners.

'We've had a lot of games against them,' Bright said. 'They're a very attacking team, love to possess the ball, and are one of the top teams in Spain.

'We're expecting nothing less. In every game we've played against them, they have fought until the end. Every game has been very intense and comes down to who takes their chances and who is best prepared on the night. It's two top teams against each other.'

There could be a familiar face in Real Madrid's line-up against the Blues, as our former midfielder Melanie Leupolz returns to London with the Spanish club.

'Everyone is looking forward to seeing her,' Bright added. 'She's an unbelievable person and a great player. It's going to be a little bit strange playing against her. We know her capabilities.

'She had an exceptional time at Chelsea, but she's on a new journey now with a new team, so I'm sure she's focusing on that.'

While attention is rooted on this evening's clash against Las Blancas, the Blues go on to face the current Dutch and Scottish champions, FC Twente and Celtic, who make up Group B.

This is the first season the two clubs have qualified for the group stage since the format was introduced in 2021, but Bright insists that does not translate to an easy opponent. No such thing exists in the competition.

'There is no team in this competition that you should underestimate,' Bright said. 'Playing in the Champions League is so special as a player. It's an honour to be back in the campaign and fighting with Chelsea.

'No team should be underestimated. They are there for a reason, so we don't take any opponent lightly at all.'