Chelsea Women stand on the brink of a historic milestone this weekend, as they aim to match their own unbeaten streak of 33 games in the Women’s Super League (WSL). In an exclusive interview, head coach Sonia Bompastor shed light on her strategic approach and the challenges of molding her vision into the squad's everyday performance ahead of their clash against Arsenal Women.
Since taking over from Emma Hayes, Bompastor has patiently built her own identity at Chelsea, departing from the back-four setup Hayes favored to implement a back-three formation. This shift was not an immediate change but rather a part of her long-term vision, which she began planning even before her arrival at the club. "It was important to ensure the players were on board with the new tactics," Bompastor explained. "It’s not easy when you have players from different backgrounds and languages, but we’ve worked hard in training and through video analysis to make sure everyone understands our objectives."
Despite the challenges, Bompastor is pleased with the progress her team has made. "We’re not yet where I want us to be, but I’m happy with what we’re achieving," she said. "Our mentality is strong, and we always find ways to win. People might comment on our playing style, but in most matches, we dominate in various aspects."
Chelsea’s defensive prowess is a testament to Bompastor’s philosophy. They have conceded just three goals this season, the fewest in the WSL, and have not suffered a league defeat under her leadership. However, Bompastor remains grounded, dismissing the focus on the unbeaten streak. "This record is more for the media," she noted. "For us, every game is a new start, and we focus on taking each match as it comes."
Looking ahead to Saturday’s showdown against Arsenal Women, Bompastor recognizes the challenge but relishes the opportunity. "Arsenal are the European champions, and playing at the Emirates with a large crowd will be a great motivation for us," she said. "We see it as an opportunity to perform and enjoy ourselves on a big stage."
On the tactical front, Bompastor has found a way to integrate new signings like Ellie Carpenter with established players like Lucy Bronze. Their first appearance together in Chelsea’s recent 2-0 win over London City Lionesses was successful, with Carpenter scoring her first goal for the club. "Both Lucy and Ellie are exceptional athletes," Bompastor remarked. "I don’t want to prioritize one over the other when they’re both performing well. As long as they can fit together, it’s a great combination."
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 12:00 PM on Saturday. Fans can also stream the game through NOW, offering an opportunity to witness Chelsea’s continued dominance and Arsenal’s quest to break the Blues’ streak. As the WSL season intensifies, the clash between these two powerhouses promises to be a thrilling encounter.
With a strategic approach that emphasizes control and efficiency, Chelsea Women are set to showcase their resilience and tactical acumen against the backdrop of a high-stakes duel against Arsenal. The result could shape the course of the WSL title race, and Bompastor’s vision is poised to play a key role in the outcome.
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