Chelsea faced a resilient Häcken in their return to Champions League play and were unable to score, resulting in a goalless draw. Despite controlling possession, the Blues were unable to showcase their skills in the attacking third against a strong defensive setup.
Emma Hayes expressed disappointment with her team’s inability to perform well technically during a disappointing game at Stamford Bridge. “Our technical execution tonight was very subpar,” she stated. “It’s difficult to discuss tactics when the opposition can easily advance through different phases.”
“The first half of the game was quite technical for me. The second half was even more challenging. When facing a defensive strategy, we cannot simply play into it as we did. We are feeling frustrated, and rightfully so.”
Chelsea came back to their familiar home environment following a humbling defeat to Arsenal. The 4-1 loss marked their biggest defeat in any competition since December 2021 and prompted doubts about a team that had been performing well.
This match against the current top team in Group D was pivotal for their aspirations in the Champions League, which have been well-documented. They entered the game without a loss in the tournament, having earned a draw against Real Madrid and a win against Paris FC.
Hayes made changes in reaction to her team’s performance over the weekend. Due to their captain Millie Bright’s injury, Kadeisha Buchanan was added to the central defense and Zecira Musovic was chosen as the starting goalkeeper. Furthermore, Guro Reiten, Fran Kirby, and Sophie Ingle were all included in the starting lineup.
Häcken has been a formidable opponent in the current campaign, having won both of their matches. Coach Mak Lind has assembled a strong team that is capable of posing a threat during transitions. However, the Swedish team faces the challenge of competing in the off-season for the Damallsvenskan, making it difficult to maintain their momentum in European competitions.
As predicted, Chelsea dominated possession as they pushed forward in an attempt to find openings, but were missing their usual sharpness. Kirby was the driving force behind each attack, using her trademark creativity and vision to try and boost the team’s energy levels. However, in the beginning, the home team was limited to set pieces for their chances.
Half of the opportunities were clear and only two of Chelsea’s 10 shots were on goal. Sam Kerr attempted a quick shot from a corner that narrowly missed, while Erin Cuthbert hit a powerful volley off the crossbar from the edge of the box. The ball bounced just inches away from crossing the goal line, representing the overall luck for the Blues in the first half.
Häcken was limited to only a few counterattacks, but they emerged in the second half with a renewed determination to attack, thanks to the addition of Monica Jusu Bah. She nearly made a quick impact when she sprinted forward, but Buchanan closely followed her the entire way.
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Chelsea withstood the attack from their rivals and then increased their intensity, putting the strong Häcken defense under constant pressure. Jennifer Falk made an excellent save to stop Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s close-range shot, while a classic header from Kerr hit the top of the crossbar. Kirby and Niamh Charles both had opportunities, but Chelsea’s finishing was not as efficient as desired.
On the 64th minute, Hayes attempted to spark the game by bringing in Lauren James and Sjoeke Nüsken. James quickly provided energy and assisted Kerr’s header goal. Unfortunately, Kerr was offside as she had miscalculated her run.
In a match where Chelsea, typically known for their aggressive style of play, had limited chances, they were only able to secure one point, maintaining their second place standing in the group. This outcome adds pressure for Hayes and her team as they prepare for a rematch in Gothenburg next week.
Source: theguardian.com
