Only the most optimistic of fans expected Chelsea Women to stay as dominant as they were in England and on a few occasions beyond since Emma Hayes’ departure to join the USWNT. Emma was a major piece of this but you can’t forget the strong squad she was able to keep throughout her years as head coach and especially how far ahead of competitors we were in every aspect of the game.
Women’s football has changed a whole lot ever since. Our first half performance in a game like today’s is a good reminder
of that.
Real Sociedad, our opponents for a UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage spot this year, finished 3rd place in the Spanish Liga F with a campaign with only four losses in 30 matches. They haven’t had European football since the 2022-23 season after an unprecedented runners-up finish the previous season.
A team not so used to European nights in the recent past would be at least a bit scared to face Chelsea at home in the Women’s Champions League. That clearly is no longer the case.
As the hosts and still a superior team on paper Chelsea had the lion’s share of possession and chances upfront. Real Sociedad in the meantime were very effective with the ball and the chances they got in front of goal. So much so that they got the opener via Ainhoa Marín only eight minutes into the match.
We didn’t falter in getting behind so early and made up for it with Naomi Girma at minute 30, on a corner delivered by new signing Katie McCabe. As is often the case with the women in Blue bad luck in front of goal and very bad aim made we long for more.
In the second half Veerle Buurman would make up for it with another goal from a corner kick. Only for Real Sociedad to equalise less than five minutes later with Cecilia Marcos.
Luckily the women upfront decided enough was enough. Melvine Malard, on her club debut and coming in from the bench, got us the lead. And Lauren James scored a fourth to add more padding to the cushion.
Even two goals down with few minutes to play Real Sociedad would not give up. With Chelsea’s defence and midfield looking a bit rusty, they thought they had a good chance to at least bring the initial scoreline down a goal.
They were very wrong as their advanced lines gave Lucy Bronze and Ellie Carpenter the space they need to set up Malard’s brace…
…and the opportunity for us to finally breathe. Carefree!
- Katie McCabe starts.
- Not a very good first half for us. Unlucky as well.
- Much better second half, although with a shaky start.
- Next up: Real Sociedad away in the second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
- KTBFFH!
