Chelsea vs Man City: Sonia Bompastor urges her sid...

Sonia Bompastor says Chelsea are able to “embrace the problem” of dealing with Manchester Metropolis for a fourth time in 12 days with the duty of recovering a two-goal deficit from the primary leg of their Champions League showdown.

Chelsea are in unfamiliar territory. Bompastor’s 28-game unbeaten run as Blues boss got here to an abrupt halt in Manchester final week when Vivianne Miedema got here off the bench to attain twice in 28 minutes and put Man Metropolis in control of the tie.

However the Frenchwoman insists her aspect’s hopes of one other European semi-final – more likely to be towards reigning champions Barcelona – are nonetheless alive, urging her gamers to finish this extraordinary run of fixtures with “no regrets”.

“I do not need my gamers to have any regrets. That is what we need to go for,” she stated. “The preparation of the sport is admittedly essential. We have now talked concerning the technique of the sport and it is actually essential to have everybody on the identical web page with that. We really feel prepared, we have to execute the sport plan.

“We have now all of the qualities to show issues round. Ninety minutes is a variety of time for us. We want a robust begin. Everybody within the membership needs to win this competitors, I nonetheless really feel like now we have the capability and high quality to show issues round. I informed my gamers final week ‘we’re nonetheless alive’, that is essential.

“Final week was not decisive, we have to reply. I focus so much on my staff. Taking part in Man Metropolis 3 times you may know extra, it is a actually uncommon scenario, however even when I do know extra I nonetheless want time to know [everything] about him [Nick Cushing]. I do not really feel any distinction making ready this recreation. We have to imagine and be assured. I simply need us to assault the sport and haven’t any regrets on the finish.”

Cushing searching for enchancment amid pressure of rivalry

Whereas Metropolis maintain the benefit within the Champions League tie, interim boss Nick Cushing is in search of enchancment from Sunday’s WSL loss to Chelsea – though he famous the pressure that has been placed on his squad by the encounters.

“The plan needs to be a bit bit higher,” he stated. “The group did an incredible job over the three video games, you may see the video games have been even.”

In a blow to Metropolis, Bunny Shaw and Aoba Fujino will each miss the match.

“The medical staff and the efficiency staff are doing an unbelievable job working by the staff,” stated Cushing.

“It is not been perfect during the last two weeks to lose Bunny Shaw and Aoba Fujino and it wasn’t perfect on Sunday, however you have a look at the group, they’re nonetheless coaching extremely arduous. I nonetheless see the idea.”

Yui Hasegawa and Laia Aleixandri are within the squad regardless of coming off with accidents on the weekend – though Cushing stated Hasegawa’s involvement is not assured.

“Having these gamers again is a testomony to them and their dedication but additionally to the unbelievable work of the medical staff,” stated Cushing, earlier than including, “Yui leaving the bottom in crutches and I am not going to leap the gun and say she’ll be prepared.”

Man Metropolis’s final revenge mission

Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunter:

“If we’re analysing the lengthy recreation, it is 2-1 Chelsea. The end result of this fascinating four-stage fixture bonanza between the Blues and Manchester Metropolis will decide who progresses in Europe on Thursday, with Chelsea already conquering their rivals within the League Cup ultimate and WSL by the identical 2-1 scoreline.

“Sandwiched between was a shocking 2-0 scalp during which Vivianne Miedema gave Metropolis the higher hand within the Champions League. What a rollercoaster trip.

“Presumably now the message modifications. Nick Cushing might be reiterating to his squad that prior conferences, three up to now 12 days, matter not.

“Metropolis’s WSL hopes had lengthy been over (though they now face an uphill battle to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League, until they win it, in fact) and whereas League Cup silverware would have been candy, the possibility to displace Chelsea in Europe – the trophy they crave most – would possibly nicely be thought of sweeter.

“It was Cushing who led Metropolis to their earlier Champions League semi-finals in 2016/17 and 2017/18 and the prospect of securing a 3rd whereas besting Chelsea will certainly be a significant motivator.”

By no means write Chelsea off

Sky Sport’s Laura Hunter:

“Chelsea, who’ve progressed in all 5 of their earlier European quarter-finals, should overturn a deficit to maintain that spectacular file intact.

“This isn’t a aspect who’re acquainted with shedding or significantly used to staging comebacks. Does that make them kind of harmful?

“Sonia Bompastor favours management and authority and but the scoreline will necessitate extra of a handbrake-off strategy. “I do know now we have the standard to reverse the scenario however we are going to should be at our greatest,” she stated final week.

“Her 28-game unbeaten begin as Blues coach might need been ended by Miedema’s double within the reverse leg however it’s removed from the Frenchwoman’s decided mentality to shrink back from a problem. It will be attention-grabbing to see whether or not Chelsea set as much as chase or keep affected person of their pursuit.

“Bompastor’s Lyon aspect roared again from a first-leg loss to beat Juventus on their method to Champions League glory in 2021/22 – it may be completed.

“The ultimate stage of this four-part epic is completely poised.”