Sonia Bompastors First Chelsea Wsl Game Key Takeaways From Aston Villa Win The Athletic

Sonia Bompastor’s First Chelsea WSL Game: Key Takeaways from Aston Villa Win

A New Era Begins

Sunday, September 18th, marked the beginning of a new era for Chelsea Women as they welcomed Aston Villa to Kingsmeadow for their first match of the 2022/23 Women's Super League (WSL) season under the guidance of new manager Sonia Bompastor.

A Comprehensive Victory

The Blues put on a dominant performance, securing a comfortable 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. Pernille Harder opened the scoring with a stunning strike from outside the box, followed by goals from Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten to seal the win.

Attacking Prowess

One of the key takeaways from the match was Chelsea's attacking prowess. The Blues created numerous chances throughout the game, showcasing their ability to break down a resolute Aston Villa defense. Kerr and Harder were particularly impressive, demonstrating their clinical finishing ability.

Defensive Resilience

Despite conceding a late goal to Villa's Rachel Daly, Chelsea's defense held firm for the majority of the match. New signing Kadeisha Buchanan made a solid debut, partnering Millie Bright at the heart of the defense.

Midfield Dominance

Chelsea's midfield trio of Sophie Ingle, Jessie Fleming, and Reiten controlled the tempo of the game, dictating the pace and creating chances for the forwards. Ingle's composure and passing range were crucial in maintaining possession.

Early Impressions of Bompastor

Bompastor's influence was evident in Chelsea's performance. The team played with a high intensity and pressing style, while also demonstrating tactical flexibility to adapt to Aston Villa's changes.

Areas for Improvement

Despite the impressive start, there were areas where Chelsea could improve. The Blues were occasionally wasteful in possession and allowed Aston Villa a few clear-cut scoring opportunities.

Conclusion

Chelsea's victory over Aston Villa was a positive start to the new season under Sonia Bompastor. The Blues showcased their attacking prowess, defensive resilience, and tactical flexibility. While there are areas for improvement, the team's performance bodes well for the challenges ahead.