Sonia Bompastor's first Chelsea WSL game: Key takeaways from Aston Villa win
Chelsea Secures 1-0 Victory Over Aston Villa in Women’s Super League Opener #
Chelsea’s new manager collected her first points with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa on the opening night of the Women’s Super League.
A left-footed effort from the edge of the area by a Swedish winger opened the scoring. The Chelsea goalkeeper made a crucial save in the 94th minute to ensure the victory.
Despite an impressive pre-season, the performance at Chelsea’s home ground showed that the new manager still has work to do. The match revealed many unknowns about Chelsea, who have a new manager for the first time in 12 years.
Possession-Based Style Challenges #
The new manager had emphasized a switch to a more possession-based style during pre-season. However, Chelsea struggled to control the ball against Villa, finishing with only 47% possession. This was lower than in most games last season.
The manager acknowledged that the team didn’t recognize when to adjust their playing style during the game, especially in the second half when Villa increased pressure.
Credit was given to Villa, who set up their team to disrupt Chelsea’s attempts to control the ball. Villa’s manager explained that they chose players who could hold onto the ball to calm Chelsea’s initial “storm.”
Players Thriving Under New Management #
Two players showed signs of thriving under the new manager. The goalscorer, who had previously struggled to find the net, impressed with her finish. The manager revealed that they had been working on this specific skill in training.
A Canadian defender also put in a strong performance, benefiting from her previous experience with the new manager. With a recent departure in the defense, there’s an opportunity for her to claim a regular starting position.
Challenges for New Signings #
Chelsea’s star signing, an England right-back, faced some positional challenges during the match. The player has emphasized that her playing style is always influenced by the manager’s instructions.
Recent injuries have also forced some tactical adjustments. A key left-back underwent surgery for a dislocated shoulder, leading to changes in the defensive lineup.
The new manager will need to make further adjustments to get the best out of the team’s new signings and existing players as they adapt to the new system and cope with injuries.