Sonia Bompastor secured her first UEFA Women’s Champions League victory as Chelsea manager with a 3-2 win over Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. Bompastor, a former player and manager at Lyon, continued her perfect start with Chelsea, winning her third consecutive game. Sjoeke Nusken and Guro Reiten scored for Chelsea to establish a two-goal lead, but Alba Redondo scored for Real Madrid before half-time. Mayra Ramirez extended Chelsea’s lead shortly after the break, but Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo scored to make it a nervy finish.
Chelsea had to deal with key absences, including Sam Kerr, Sophie Ingle, Niamh Charles, Mia Fishel, and Kadeisha Buchanan. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was replaced by Zecira Musovic due to illness. Despite the challenges, Chelsea showed fighting spirit and determination to secure the win. Bompastor’s ability to navigate the team through absences and defensive mistakes will be crucial as they aim for European success. Chelsea’s ability to grind out a win may bode well for their chances in the UEFA Women’s Champions League this season.
Sjoeke Nusken was named the Player of the Match for her performance, scoring Chelsea’s opening goal and displaying commanding qualities in midfield. Chelsea’s team ratings highlighted solid performances from players like Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, and Guro Reiten. Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Misa received a low rating, while Alba Redondo was praised for her goal-scoring efforts. The match featured key moments, including Nusken’s opening goal, Chelsea’s goalkeeper switch, Reiten’s penalty goal, Redondo’s goal for Real Madrid, Ramirez’s header goal, and Caicedo’s late goal.
The game marked the opening day of the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League, with more matches scheduled for the following day. Bompastor’s challenge will be to continue guiding Chelsea through the competition and overcoming any obstacles in their path. The victory over Real Madrid showcased Chelsea’s resilience and determination, qualities that will be essential in their pursuit of European glory. The team’s ability to maintain composure and secure a win despite the challenges they faced reflects positively on Bompastor’s leadership.
Looking ahead, Chelsea will aim to build on their winning start in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and continue their momentum in the competition. Despite facing key absences and defensive lapses, Bompastor’s side showed promise and potential as they strive for success on the European stage. The battle against Real Madrid highlighted Chelsea’s strengths and areas for improvement, setting the stage for an exciting campaign in the Champions League. With a manager who has a rich history in the competition, Chelsea fans will be hopeful for a successful run in Europe this season.
