In Focus: Reiten the key for Blues to topple holders Lyon

Guro Reiten could be the star of the show tonight as Chelsea look to move a step closer to Women's Champions League glory. 

With her club still battling for silverware on three fronts, the in-form Norwegian's quick feet and pinpoint deliveries have caught the eye.

She leads the way when it comes to assists in the Women's Super League and will be looking to unlock Lyon's defence when the Blues face the reigning European champions in the first leg of their quarter-final. 

Ahead of that game at the Groupama Stadium, we take a closer look at what 28-year-old Reiten brings to Emma Hayes' team. 

FA Cup fortune

Reiten kept her purple patch going by guiding Chelsea to a 3-1 win in their Women's FA Cup quarter-final at Reading last Sunday.

The 78-cap international created the opening goal with a lofted cross for Jess Carter to tuck away.

She was then taken down by Brooke Hendrix to win a penalty, which Maren Mjelde converted to double the lead on 26 minutes.

And Reiten all but sealed the win herself six minutes into the second half by finishing after being teed up by Alsu Abdullina.

High praise

Hayes was full of praise for the Sunndalsora native following that victory over the Royals. 

She said: "She [Reiten] is just a wonderful player.

"So intelligent, takes up great positions, in possession she's so versatile. She's an absolute dream to work with. 

"The combination of Guro and Niamh [Charles] down the middle did really well. The squad depth showed in the performance. It reflected the hard work we've put in in training.

"We adapted really well playing a team that presses really aggressively, really high, so you haven't got the time and space to play the way you want. We exploited the space they gave us."

Creative excellence

Reiten has been Chelsea's creator-in-chief this term, recording an impressive 13 assists across all competitions.

The former LSK Kvinner star possesses an arsenal of different deliveries, often taking up positions on the left to cross.

Reflecting on her own performances this term, she said: "I want to be as good as possible every time I step on the pitch.

"I enjoy my position on the left, I've been getting really good balls into the box. I've just got to put them in the right place for my team-mates. 

"I don't care about the assists or the goals as long as we keep winning. As an attacking player you want to contribute to goals and so far, so good!"

Chasing European silverware

Chelsea topped Group A after racking up five wins and a draw from six Champions League games.

Guro was a key figure during the group stage and provided four assists — three of which came in the 8-0 drubbing of Albanian outfit Vllaznia at Kingsmeadow.

She also registered eight deliveries into the box and 16 key passes in six appearances as the Blues marched on in Europe. 

So far this term, Chelsea have netted 19 times from 35 attempts on target and have conceded just once in the Champions League.

Dangerous Lyon

Title-holders Lyon will not relinquish the trophy without a fight. 

The eight-time winners have emerged victorious from 12 of their 13 previous quarter-finals and come into this evening's match on fire having won their last five D1 Arkema fixtures.

But they showed a chink in their armour during a humiliating 5-1 home defeat to Arsenal last October.

Lyon's only league loss this term came against Paris Saint-Germain, who the Blues beat 1-0 and 3-0 in Group A.

If Chelsea want to take the upper hand in this tie, Reiten will need to be firing on all cylinders.