Chelsea FC Women vs KFF Vllaznia Shkodër
Following a tight 3-2 win over Reading in the WSL on Sunday, we return to the UWCL group stage with our final group stage away game. This next game coming against Vllaznia. We’re hoping to continue our strong start to the campaign with a good result away from home. Here is our preview for the UWCL Round 5 game against KFF Vllaznia on December 16th at Loro Boriçi Stadium.
Chelsea
Form: W-W-D-W
An almost-perfect performance on Sunday has Chelsea on high alert. A solid start against Reading consisting of 3 first-half goals was almost in vain as we went on to concede two goals in two minutes in the second half. Thankfully the brace from Jelena Čanković and a goal from Fran in the first half was enough to get us all three points.
Our last UWCL result was a timid 1-1 draw against Real Madrid away from home, a result which will give us a boost heading into the fixture this week. Vllaznia I imagine will be reeling still from the reverse fixture at Kingsmeadow in October where we managed an impressive 8-0 victory.
Another win will guarantee our spot in the group’s top two, leaving us sure of a place in the knockout stages. The girls are maintaining the best possible start to our campaign after a disappointing exit in the group stage last season having only dropped points once in the 1-1 draw away to Real Madrid with four of the six matches played. Excellent individual performances are leading the path to success this year it seems.
KFF Vllaznia Shkodër
Form: W-W-L-W
Vllaznia another team we are just becoming familiar with are in control of their respective league similar to us. They compete in the Albanian Women’s National Championship. Where they currently sit top of the ten-team league on 27 points, 3 clear of second-placed KF Tirana Women. They haven’t been as lucky in their maiden outing in the UWCL group stage, having lost all 4 of their games so far conceding 19 goals.
Since their loss to us, Vllaznia have played 8 matches two UWCL losses to PSG and six league victories. Scoring an impressive 36 goals and conceding none in the league. There is no doubt Vllaznia are in control of the Albanian Women’s National Championship. This array of results included a 3-0 victory over second-place KF Tirana Women on Sunday. They may not quite be at UWCL level yet but there is no doubt Vllaznia control their league. Being the first Albanian team to reach the UWCL group stage shows they are not to be ignored. Putting every ounce of effort in to get where they are, they deserve respect.
Previous Meetings
There has only been one meeting between these two sides the maiden meeting In October. Vllaznia walked away from Kingsmeadow on the back of an 8-0 loss ready to prove why they belong in the UWCL.
Team News
Chelsea
The only player we currently have out is Pernille Harder.
Unfortunately, Pernille has been ruled out for an extended period after having an operation on her hamstring. We wish the magic Dane all the best in her recovery and we know she’ll be missed.
KFF Vllaznia Shkodër
There is a scarcity of information about women’s teams that do not compete in top leagues, so there is no way to know if Vllaznia have any injuries.
Players To Watch
Chelsea
Jelena Čanković and Erin Cuthbert are two Chelsea players to keep an eye on in Wednesday’s match.
Jelena has only just been welcomed into the side after getting sporadic appearances and then being out with an injury since signing and wow did she make a first impression. A first-half brace was all the introduction we needed, I can’t wait to see what else she has to offer the team. She created the opening goal with her quick thinking to take the free kick quickly and then scored the second and third. A player who didn’t think she needed an introduction, she let her football talk for her.
Erin has been quiet but solid recently, letting her skills talk for her we may not have seen any more screamers since our win over Madrid in November but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been noticed. With a presence in Midfield, we can always rely on the Scottish magician to keep the ball moving. I hope she gets herself another top-notch UWCL performance in the books heading into the latter stages of the campaign.
KFF Vllaznia Shkodër
As previously stated, there isn’t much information available on the Vllaznia team, but one player to keep an eye on is Megi Doci.
Megi Doci is an Albanian player who had a better game than most in our last meeting with Vllaznia. A strong player although she doesn’t play in defence she did a good job of it in their 8-0 loss. Winning three tackles, making two clearances and another headed clearance she also recovered the ball 6 times. A good display in such a poor game for her side.
Match Details
Date/Time: Friday 16th December, 17:45 BST
Venue: Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër
Referee: Karoline Wacker
How to watch
UK: DAZN
Rest of the World: DAZN
Final Thoughts and Prediction
After a disappointing result on Sunday against Reading we can expect a ruthless Chelsea team to walk out at the Loro Boriçi Stadium. We have been putting a big chunk of our efforts into the UWCL this season, we could seal our place in the knockout stages with this game and I can’t see us wasting that chance again.
Final Prediction: Vllaznia 1 – 5 Chelsea
Written By A Bradley (@A_thensomething)