Chelsea's unbeaten run built on adaptability and defensive solidity, says Bompastor
Chelsea remain unbeaten across all competitions after a 2-0 Champions League win over Roma, with Sonia Bompastor crediting tactical flexibility, a tightened defence and improved squad culture.
Chelsea's 2-0 Women's Champions League victory over Roma underlined that Sonia Bompastor's side can win in different ways, extending an unbeaten start across all competitions. The Blues sit level at the top of the Women's Super League with Manchester City after seven games and have two wins and a draw from their opening three Champions League phase matches.
Against Roma, Chelsea dominated the first half but squandered a flurry of chances before substitute Ellie Carpenter broke the deadlock after 51 minutes. Defender Kadeisha Buchanan headed the second late on. Bompastor highlighted the clean sheet, noting her team has not conceded in three Champions League games and that a solid defensive base matters when aiming to go far in competitions.
The manager said the Champions League is "a different level" to the WSL and has rotated her squad to cope with both. Chelsea have addressed the defensive lapses evident last season and look more clinical, with Carpenter scoring four goals in all competitions, Lauren James in strong form and young midfielder Lexi Potter forming a developing partnership with Keira Walsh. The side can switch between a back three and a back four and go direct through goalkeeper Hannah Hampton's distribution.
Context matters: Chelsea won a domestic treble in Bompastor's first season but then lost their WSL and FA Cup crowns and were knocked out of Europe by Arsenal at the quarter-final stage. Bompastor has stressed that transition takes time after the departures of big-name players including Sam Kerr, Millie Bright and Guro Reiten, and after 12 years under previous coach Emma Hayes.
Captain Erin Cuthbert said she was "not really" surprised by the level shown, pointing to a productive pre-season and arguing the team has gone up another level. Bompastor also cited mentality and culture, saying the club needed to rebuild some of that and now has clarity on where it wants to go. Those are the manager's and captain's assessments rather than verified outcomes.
Chelsea's form has raised expectations externally that they would respond after missing out on trophies last season, though Bompastor remains more measured. Their ability to grind out results, as they did against Roma, is presented as evidence they have learned from the previous campaign.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
