Chelsea Women begin their UEFA Women’s Champions League league-phase campaign against Austria Wien on Wednesday night with Sonia Bompastor facing an early rotation decision.
The Blues enter Europe after Saturday’s 2-0 Women’s Super League victory over Birmingham City, when Lexi Potter opened the scoring before Melvine Malard struck from the bench.
Chelsea now have another important game only four days later, with Arsenal visiting Stamford Bridge in the WSL on Sunday.
That makes squad management particularly important.
Bompastor already rotated against Birmingham and has recently welcomed several players back from injury, significantly increasing her options for the Champions League opener.
Chelsea face Austria Wien at Plough Lane on Wednesday 23 September, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
Our Chelsea Women vs Austria Wien TV and live-stream guide has all the information supporters need before the game.
Here is how Chelsea could line up.
Hannah Hampton likely to remain in goal
Hannah Hampton should retain her place despite Bompastor having opportunities to rotate elsewhere.
The England goalkeeper kept another clean sheet against Birmingham and made an important second-half intervention when the visitors threatened to equalise.
Chelsea should expect to dominate possession against Austria Wien, but Hampton’s distribution could also be valuable against an opponent likely to defend deeper.
Livia Peng provides an alternative if Bompastor wants to spread minutes around her squad.
However, the importance of beginning the Champions League league phase strongly makes Hampton the safer prediction.
Chelsea could make several defensive changes
The defence is where Bompastor has considerably more flexibility than she did earlier in the season.
Ellie Carpenter, Veerle Buurman, Kadeisha Buchanan and Lucy Bronze all started against Birmingham.
Nathalie Björn and Naomi Girma returned to the squad following injury, while Katie McCabe was also introduced late in the second half.
That creates an opportunity to freshen the back four.
Bronze’s experience makes her an attractive option to retain on the right, particularly for a European fixture.
Björn could then return in central defence alongside Girma.
Chelsea have managed Girma carefully following her injury absence, but a Champions League home fixture may provide the ideal opportunity to restore competitive minutes.
McCabe is another strong candidate to start.
The former Arsenal defender was left out of the XI against Birmingham and could replace one of Chelsea’s heavily-used defensive players on the left.
Predicted defence: Lucy Bronze, Nathalie Björn, Naomi Girma, Katie McCabe.
Lexi Potter deserves another Chelsea start
The biggest midfield question surrounds Lexi Potter.
The 18-year-old has started Chelsea’s last two WSL matches and strengthened her case again by scoring after only eight minutes against Birmingham.
ReadChelsea has already examined why Potter is creating a genuine selection dilemma for Bompastor.
There is now little reason to view her simply as a youngster receiving development minutes.
She is contributing.
Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nüsken and Wieke Kaptein all started on Saturday, giving Bompastor scope to rest at least one senior midfielder.
Giulia Dragoni came off the bench late against Birmingham and looks a strong candidate for a European start.
A midfield of Potter, Dragoni and Kaptein would give Chelsea technical quality while allowing Walsh and Nüsken to have their workloads managed before Arsenal.
Melvine Malard could make first start after injury
The central attacking position presents perhaps Bompastor’s most interesting decision.
Malard could hardly have made a better return against Birmingham.
The France international entered after 63 minutes and scored eight minutes later, capitalising on a defensive error to give Chelsea the second goal their dominance deserved.
ReadChelsea highlighted how Malard’s return provides an important Champions League boost.
Wednesday now offers an opportunity to increase her minutes.
Mayra Ramírez has not yet returned to competitive action, while Lauren James is also expected to miss the Austria Wien fixture after suffering a knock in training.
Bompastor therefore has good reason to use Malard centrally.
Maika Hamano could come into the side on the right after featuring from the bench against Birmingham.
Alyssa Thompson deserves to retain her place on the opposite flank.
The American was directly involved in Potter’s opener and repeatedly caused Birmingham problems with her pace.
Chelsea Women predicted XI vs Austria Wien
GK: Hannah Hampton
DEF: Lucy Bronze, Nathalie Björn, Naomi Girma, Katie McCabe
MID: Giulia Dragoni, Lexi Potter, Wieke Kaptein
FWD: Maika Hamano, Melvine Malard, Alyssa Thompson
That would represent significant rotation without weakening Chelsea’s starting XI excessively.
Bompastor has repeatedly stressed the importance of squad depth during demanding runs of matches, and the next week provides an immediate test of that principle.
Austria Wien come first.
Chelsea then face Arsenal in the WSL on Sunday before travelling to face OL Lyonnes in the Champions League only three days later.
With three significant matches inside eight days, rotation is inevitable.
The challenge for Bompastor is ensuring Chelsea begin their European campaign strongly without leaving key players short of energy for what follows.
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