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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Blues were supposed to face the Red Devils in the Women’s Super League on Sunday in a match that had sold out tickets in the home and away ends and been chosen by Sky Sports for broadcast.
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Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
However, UEFA then confirmed its schedule for the Champions League group stage fixtures, which had Chelsea hosting Real Madrid on Tuesday. The Blues were always going to play on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but the confirmation that it would be the former meant that the game against Manchester United had to be postponed, prompting frustration among fans.
WHAT BOMPASTOR SAID
That frustration was also felt by Chelsea coach Bompastor, who spoke about the situation in her press conference on Monday. “Of course, we were disappointed, players and staff,” she said. “I think everyone has to understand we were supposed to play, we were in a very, very good team dynamic, and I think not having the opportunity to play this weekend changed everything in preparation for the game on Tuesday against Real Madrid. When you have the opportunity to play one game a week, and with this decision being made and postponing the game, now we have been out of competition for 10 days, which is completely different. If you look at the situation, the decision is not good. It’s not good for all the English clubs who are in the Champions League competition.”
Asked what needs to change to avoid this situation happening in the future, Bompastor replied: “I think the league is a professional league. They need to know about the rules. I just said to the league my thoughts on the situation. I think that’s good enough for me. I don’t want to share more here in the press conference. I think for them, it’s good to have our feedback and as I always said to the league, I think we should be proud to have three English clubs in the Champions League this year and all the decisions in this league through the season have to be made in order to help the English clubs to compete in the Champions League.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea are favourites to top Group B in this year’s Champions League, after being drawn with Real Madrid, Celtic and Twente. While the Spanish giants are a big name on the men’s side, they finished bottom of their UWCL group last term, which also featured Chelsea.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Real did manage to hold the Blues to a draw in one of their meetings last year though and have won all of their first seven games this season. Chelsea, meanwhile, have two wins from two and will hope to continue that form at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday despite not playing for 10 days.
