Chelsea began their European campaign with a slender victory over Austria Vienna, yet the night ended in concern rather than celebration. Wieke Kaptein hammered a twenty five yard effort that bounced in off the crossbar, but soon afterwards England midfielder Keira Walsh, aged 29, hobbled off around the twentieth minute.
Manager Sonia Bompastor called the switch a cautious one, saying Walsh felt some tightness in her quad. A fresh assessment was planned for the following day to judge her chances of facing Arsenal on Sunday. The timing is awkward, since England’s squad is revealed next week.
The Austrian newcomers showed real bite. Virginia Kirchberger blazed over after goalkeeper Livia Peng fumbled a corner, Valentina Potzl was denied by a superb Peng save once Veerle Buurman lost possession, and Modesta Uka struck a post. Chelsea’s best moments came through Melvine Malard, starting for the first time since arriving from Manchester United, and Alyssa Thompson, who dragged a shot narrowly wide. Sjoeke Nusken spurned the finest opening, volleying high from close range after excellent work by Ellie Carpenter down the flank. Maika Hamano replaced Malard after the interval.
Bompastor admitted her players should have controlled matters better and sealed the contest, though she insisted three points mattered most. Chelsea sit third in the Women’s Super League, two points behind leaders Manchester City. Lauren James hopes to return, while captain Erin Cuthbert, Manaka Matsukubo and Aggie Beever-Jones remain unavailable.
A trip to Lyon awaits next week, and the French giants thrashed their own opponents by eight goals to nil on the same evening. Chelsea have never lifted this trophy. Bompastor believes they can, yet she concedes this campaign may prove a period of transition.
