The Blues went into this evening’s quarter-final second leg two goals behind. Yet after 45 excellent minutes, we were ahead on aggregate.

Sandy Baltimore scored our first of the night with a thunderous drive, and we levelled the tie when Nathalie Bjorn headed home from a corner. Lauren James then fashioned our third, which was finished well by Mayra Ramirez.

From then on, progression to the last four and another date with Barcelona never felt in doubt.

Our comeback was the latest example of the unshakeable belief and resolute mentality instilled in the Chelsea side, something an understandably pleased Bompastor highlighted after the victory.

She said: 'I’m allowing myself to enjoy. You work really hard in football, and sometimes you get results and sometimes you don't. I think tonight was the perfect night for us, playing at Stamford Bridge with our fans and being able to turn things around. I’m really proud of my players.

'It was a difficult challenge, but we believed it was possible and I think this belief was strong in our side and made the difference.

‘The mental aspect of a performance is really important; sometimes [it can be] more than 70 or 80 per cent of the performance and the result. So I think tonight, it was part of the game to have this belief, mental strength, and to think it was possible to achieve.'

Bompastor continued: ‘I said after the first leg we were alive and I knew it was possible, even though I knew the challenge would be tough. It was important for us to be able to bounce back and see how we react as a team.

'We put a lot of energy as a staff – and me as a manager – after the first leg that going into this game, the plan was the right one. You never know until you play the game and get a good result, but going into this game, our body language and the way we showed the players we were confident was the right thing to do.

'And it's good to learn from your players and how the squad reacts [following a defeat], so it’s important for me.’

Our victory has set up another semi-final date with Barcelona, who have ended our European hopes in the past two seasons. Bompastor knows the challenge ahead, but stresses she, her staff, and the Blues players will do all they can to secure a place in May's final in Lisbon.

‘We’ll do everything possible to make that happen,' the Blues head coach said. 'Barcelona has a lot of talent and experience in their squad –  I was watching their game against Wolfsburg before our game – and it will again be a tough challenge.

'But in football, everything is possible and I will bring all the confidence we need going into those two games.

'First of all, though, we want to enjoy tonight because it wasn’t easy. We had a great performance so we will enjoy and we have some time to think about the two games in April.’