In the third UWCL matchday, the Blues retained their 100% record against Los Blancos with an important win. Emma Hayes’s side remain in control of the group thanks to goals from Sophie Ingle and Erin Cuthbert as it finished Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid at Kingsmeadow.
Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid: Team News
After the weekend victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Emma Hayes was in the dugout for the first time at Kingsmeadow since her surgery.
The Blues made several changes, lining up in a 4-3-3. Ann-Katrin Berger continued in goal. Kadeisha Buchanan partnered Magda Eriksson in the centre of the defence. Niamh Charles and captain Magda Eriksson occupied the fullback roles. Sophie Ingle screened the defence with Erin Cuthbert. Fran Kirby started in the No. 10 role, with Guro Reiten on the left and Jo Kaneryd on the right. Sam Kerr started upfront.
A strong Chelsea bench featured the likes of Eve Perisset, Jessie Fleming and the in-form Lauren James. 16-year-old Ashanti Akpan was also named on the bench.
First Half
The Blues were keen to take control early on at Kingsmeadow and carved out an early-half chance. Good work from Sam Kerr on the left saw her feed Kirby. Her low effort tested Misa Rodriguez. However, the Spaniard was equal to it. Reiten and Charles both then blazed wide, before Caroline Weir had the visitor’s first effort. She turned well inside the box to pick up a loose ball, however, her effort was straight at Berger.
Cuthbert then fired over before the game settled into a familiar pattern. Chelsea dominated possession, however Los Blancos remained sturdy and resolute. The Madrid midfield worked hard to restrict the space and when Chelsea did get chances to create opportunities, their final ball was often lacking quality.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe final chance came moments before the half-time whistle. A set-piece was played teasingly into the box which Millie Bright attacked. The central defender had already notched once in the UWCL this season, however, this time she couldn’t get a telling touch and it sailed agonisingly wide.
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Real Madrid
Second Half
It was almost the ideal start to the second half for the Spanish side. A deep cross forced Berger to backpedal and tip the ball away. The loose ball bobbled into the danger area, however, Weir couldn”t make a good connection. The resulting corner was suitably dealt with. Another effort from Zornoza from distance was dealt with by Berger.
In response, Chelsea shuffled the pack. Lauren James and Jessie Fleming replaced Kirby and Kaneryd in the 55th minute. 13 minutes later, good work from James helped Chelsea win a corner on the right-side. Erin Cuthbert’s brilliant delivery was perfect for Millie Bright to flick towards the back-post. Sophie Ingle gambled on the opportunity and nodded in from close range to make it Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid on the 68th minute.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrom the kick-off, the Madrid side almost gained parity. Another dangerous cross from Robles caused chaos in the Chelsea box, but Esther was unable to connect. With the game teetering, a moment of brilliance settled the contest. In the 75th minute, a terrific driving run from Erin Cuthbert saw her find herself on the right-wing. An ambitious cross turned into a superb shot that dipped past Rodriguez and into the far corner. Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid. Moments later, Jess Carter replaced the ever-industrious Reiten.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Blues had several chances to increase the lead. Firstly, Sousa cleared Niamh Charles’s header off the line. Still Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid. The Lioness had another chance as she was set up brilliantly by Lauren James, however, she was only able to fire into the side netting. Still Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid, somehow and that is how it finished. A solid, controller and successful night at Kingsmeadow.
Full Time: Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid
Final Thoughts: Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid
A big win for Chelsea who remains in control of Group A. With a five point gap over PSG and Real Madrid, the Blues now just need a single point to guarantee qualification, and 4 points to ensure they top the group. Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid was a measured and controlled performance against a good side. The Blues remain the only side in the UEFA Women’s Champions League who have not conceded a goal yet too.
Up next, it’s a trip to Leicester for the defending Champions. They will do well to better last season’s result! After that, it’s a trip away to Madrid for the reverse leg of this fixture, possible qualification and a chance to continue our 100% record against the Spaniards.