Catarina Macario puts Chelsea ahead from the penalty spot
Chelsea forward Catarina Macario came off the bench at half-time to score two penalties
Real Madrid Femenino 1 Chelsea Women 2
This was not a vintage Chelsea performance but it was a textbook Chelsea comeback.
So often we saw this team find an extra gear when they needed it during Emma Hayes’s 12-year reign. With her side 1-0 down to Real Madrid at half-time and with first place in their Champions League group slipping out of their hands, Sonia Bompastor made a game-changing substitution which showed why this may just be Chelsea’s year to go all the way in this competition.
Catarina Macario came off the bench at half-time to score two penalties which turned the tide in their favour and ensured top spot in their group.
Chelsea have not lost a game since Bompastor took charge, a quite incredible achievement. While they have looked far from their best in their last two outings, which included scraping a draw with Leicester at the weekend, the very best teams always find a way to pull themselves back when they look beaten.
That is what Chelsea did in Madrid. Telegraph Sport looks at why this could finally be their time to win their first European trophy.
Strength in depth
After a poor first half, Bompastor made the bold decision to take Mayra Ramírez off for Macario. It was one that paid dividends, with Macario winning and scoring the penalty that got Chelsea level shortly after half-time, before netting from the spot again just five minutes later.
That Bompastor can bring a player of Macario’s calibre off the bench speaks volumes of the strength in depth Chelsea possess.
“She changed the game and she showed tonight she was a world class player,” Bompastor said.
Chelsea pose for a team photo before taking on Real Madrid
Chelsea remain unbeaten in all competitions so far this season
When Lauren James returns in the new year, they will have even more options in attack. It is also hoped Sam Kerr will be back in February or March and she will provide an even greater goal threat than what Chelsea have already showcased this season.
Bompastor has a huge squad to choose from but it would not be surprising to see Chelsea potentially dip into the market for a midfielder or indeed another attacking player in case Kerr’s return is delayed further.
“That’s the right time now, me as a coach but also the club to reflect on our squad,” Bompastor said on whether she will look to make signings.
“The January transfer window will open and maybe we will be looking for some modifications. When it will be the right time I will tell you what we can change.”
Experience on and off the pitch
Bompastor has won this competition as a player and coach and knows what it takes to get her team over the line.
Lucy Bronze also has five European titles to her name and the pair of them together give Chelsea an incredible level of experience.
They always seemed to fall at the final hurdle under Hayes and perhaps over the years there was a mental block when it came to this competition.
That is not the case with Bompastor. Her perfect record demonstrates Chelsea have enough to finally realise their European dream.
“At the end of the day what matters in football is winning,” Bompastor said.
“I would like us to be able to win and play a good style of football but sometimes you have to realise that’s not easy. Tonight the most important was the result.”
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor on the touchline
Sonia Bompastor (above) made the bold decision to take Mayra Ramírez off at half-time but it paid off for Chelsea
Form of other WSL teams
Chelsea’s six-point lead at the top of the Women’s Super League could prove crucial to their Champions League hopes.
Bronze often highlighted how having their domestic campaign wrapped up early has helped the likes of Barcelona and Lyon when they have reached the latter stages in the past.
The WSL title race usually goes down until the last day of the season, which often affords Chelsea little room to rotate in their league games.
If they can maintain the gap between themselves, Manchester City and Arsenal, Bompastor’s side will have a greater chance of progressing further in Europe.
“In terms of results it could have been even better,” Bompastor insisted of her record so far. “If we didn’t have this two points dropped against Leicester it would have been ideal. But really pleased with the results. We showed we have a strong squad.
“Mentally we are a good team and strong team. We were able to show we were dominant in the league. Even when it was more tough we were able to find a way to win so I think that’s really positive.”
What do they need to work on?
The centre-back partnership of Millie Bright and Nathalie Bjorn is starting to look a little fragile. Neither player has been afforded much rest of late due to a long-term injury to Kadeisha Buchanan. Maelys Mpomé, who joined in the summer, is also sidelined through injury.
Real Madrid's Naomie Feller and Chelsea's Millie Bright duel for the ball
Millie Bright (right) and centre-back partner Nathalie Bjorn have not had much rest because of the injury to Kadeisha Buchanan
It is clearly a position that Chelsea could do with some more depth in and an area they may have to strengthen in January.
There were several times the back line looked vulnerable against Real Madrid, which was not just down to Bjorn and Bright. Full-backs Bronze and Niamh Charles were also beaten by their wingers on occasions. Becoming more resolute and stronger in defence could make the difference in Europe.
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