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If Chelsea were on a “new journey” in the Women’s Champions League, it started in torrential rain and in front of a packed Stamford Bridge. For Sonia Bompastor, an even bigger European night was in store as the Blues kicked off their latest bid for the elusive Champions League title with a thrilling 3-2 win over Real Madrid that deserved the atmosphere in south-west London.
After all, Bompastor has faced the hostility of Stamford Bridge as an opposition manager, watching as his Lyon side collapsed to a penalty shootout at the Shed End in the quarter-finals two seasons ago. He must have watched from afar as Emma Hayes’ side pushed past Barcelona in the second leg of last season’s semi-final, as the eventual champions needed every ounce of mentality, and a fair slice of controversial refereeing decisions, to get over the line. .
However, Bompastor had to wait to witness his first big night in charge of Chelsea, as ticket sales closed at 5,000, a decision the club made to ensure that the match was “financially sustainable”. The French coach may have felt he had yet to meet the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge, as the crowd sat on the opposite side of the pitch to the dugouts, stretching across the lower tier of the West Stand.
If the name of the opposition, Real Madrid, suggests that there is more atmosphere, Chelsea can point to the Champions League match that was released less than two weeks ago, because the club has less time to market the biggest match in the group phase. . Celtic and FC Twente will also travel to Stamford Bridge, but they lack the prestige of Real Madrid. There is also no alternative, as Kingsmeadow is not a UEFA accredited venue for the Women’s Champions League.
5,000 ticket sales, however, do not match Chelsea’s ambitions in the Champions League. “Of course we want to have the biggest crowd in the stadium,” Bompastor admitted. “The fans who are here support us very well. But it is difficult for the family, Tuesday night, at 8 o’clock (kick-off). We will see for the next game.
As a result, it was a far cry from the losing games against Barcelona and Lyon in previous years, the sound of players clapping and shouting above the roar of the away crowd. Clearly, however, Chelsea’s recent journey in the Women’s Champions League is focused on the destination, not the start. After almost going down under Hayes, he has become a champion at Bompastor, the European champions as a player and coach of Lyon. The signing of five-time winner Lucy Bronze is also seen as a way to take the club to the next level.
And on the field, it’s quite convincing from Chelsea, although Real Madrid have been around for quite some time. But for the third consecutive season in the group stages, the Spanish side were dismissed – extending their winless streak against Chelsea to five matches.
It’s not entirely comfortable. Real Madrid had time, and pulled one back before half time through Alba Redondo and then the end after the introduction of Linda Caicedo. “The closest we’ve gotten to a positive result (here),” reflected head coach Alberto Toril. “It’s a match that’s settled with the finer details.” Redondo’s finish came after an early own goal and a Guro Reiten penalty. In the second half, Mayra Ramirez, a threat all evening, restored Chelsea’s advantage with a looping header from a Lauren James cross.
Caicedo came off the bench to score for Real Madrid in the second, pulling one back to punish Chelsea for losing control and direction. “I hope we can organize more games,” Bompastor said. “It’s not about slowing down the game, it’s about being smarter. I think we conceded two goals that should have been better. We were nervous (at the end) but it’s something we want to work on.
Before that, there were encouraging signs from Bompastor and glimpses of the tactical flexibility he will surely need to go far in Europe. Key for those who use Sandy Baltimore, which is licensed to push on.
Baltimore were generally excellent, giving width down one side which was replicated by the excellent Johanna Rytting Kaneryd on the right. A composed display from Sjoeke Nusken in midfield was matched by 19-year-old Wieke Katpein, making his first Chelsea start after spending last season on loan at Twente. James was more composed, struggling to find dangerous areas of the pitch, until he appeared on the right and produced a good cross to set up Ramirez’s header in the second half.
Crosses are often a problem for Real Madrid. Rytting Kaneryd had snapped Chelsea’s fast start within two minutes, racing back to break a Real Madrid counterattack and then go ahead. A dropped delivery found Nusken and a deflected header at the post after a touch from Sheila Garcia.
Chelsea struck again on the half hour mark and as Real Madrid went from strength to strength. It was a double blow for the visitors, with referee Ivana Martincic’s penalty decision soft. Nusken was smart enough to step in front of Maria Mendez’s challenge following a Chelsea corner, taking the kick. Reiten delivered the penalty with confidence, getting down and hard past Misa Rodriguez into the corner.
Real Madrid assured Chelsea they will not be complacent. Zecira Musovic, the late replacement for Hannah Hampton, has been called up before Real Madrid find their way back. Chelsea’s defense was poor when Redondo attacked; it will be again when Caicedo comes off the bench to ponce in the 83rd minute. It prepares the grandstand conclusion; However, Chelsea are hoping for bigger nights yet to come.
