Manchester City took a huge step towards the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals with a commanding 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie. Vivianne Miedema proved the difference on the night, netting a clinical brace to hand Nick Cushing's side a deserved win at the Joie Stadium. In a high-stakes clash between two of England’s elite, City’s attacking efficiency and defensive resilience kept Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea at bay, setting up a tantalizing second leg in London.
Team news:
Manchester City made three changes to the side that lost in the final, as Lily Murphy,
Kerolin, and Jess Park replaced Aoba Fujino, Vivianne Miedema, and Khadija Shaw.
They played a 4-3-3 formation, with Ayaka Yamashita in goal, along with Kerstin Casparij, Gracie Prior, Laia Aleixandri, and Leila Ouahabi at the back. In the midfield, they played Jill Roord, Yui Hasegawa, and Jess Park. In the forward line, they played Kerolin, Mary Fowler, and Lily Murphy.
Chelsea made two changes to the side that were victorious in the final, as Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones replaced Sjoeke Nusken and Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd in the starting line-up.
Chelsea played a 4-2-3-1 formation with Hannah Hampton in goal, joined by Lucy Bronze, Nathalie Bjorn, Millie Bright, and Sandy Baltimore playing in defence. Erin Cuthbert and Keira Walsh played in the midfield. In the forward line, they played Aggie Beever-Jones, Catarina Macario, and Lauren James, who were joined at the top by Mayra Ramirez.
First Half:
The match commenced at 8 PM (GMT), with Manchester City making a bright start. They created opportunities from the outset, coming close to scoring in the 2nd minute when Mary Fowler found Kerolin in the box, but her effort went narrowly wide. Chelsea responded immediately with an attack of their own, though Ayaka Yamashita remained untroubled. City continued to apply pressure with fluid passing and high pressing, yet they failed to seriously test Hannah Hampton in goal.
In the 37th minute, Chelsea had a promising opportunity through Mayra Ramirez, but her attempted pass into the box lacked precision and was easily cleared by City. Both teams provided plenty of attacking intent, but the first half concluded with the score still level.
First Half Summary: An end-to-end opening 45 minutes! Both teams displayed impressive energy and determination, contributing to an exciting European night atmosphere. While no goals were scored, the intensity suggested that the second half could bring plenty of action.
Second Half:
Following the break, the second half got underway with Manchester City introducing Vivianne Miedema for Lily Murphy, while Chelsea replaced Catarina Macario with Wieke Kaptein.
Chelsea threatened early, as a well-worked free-kick in the 48th minute found Lauren James outside the box. She struck the ball cleanly, but Yamashita produced a strong save. Just two minutes later, City had a chance of their own, with Kerstin Casparij firing an effort wide. The match resumed at a high tempo, with both sides searching for the breakthrough.
Chelsea made a double substitution in the 59th minute, bringing on Sjoeke Nüsken and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd for Keira Walsh and Lauren James. However, just two minutes later, it was City who took the lead. Mary Fowler delivered a well-placed ball into the box, which Laia Alexandri met with a powerful header. Hampton made an excellent save, but Miedema reacted quickly to convert the rebound. 1-0 to Manchester City, as their sustained pressure paid off.
Shortly after the goal, City substituted Laura Coombs for Mary Fowler. Despite the setback, Chelsea continued to push forward and thought they had found an equaliser in the 71st minute when Mayra Ramirez put the ball in the back of the net. However, she was adjudged to have been in an offside position. A minute later, Chelsea made another change, with Maika Hamano replacing Ramirez.
City made further substitutions in the 75th minute, as Laura Blindkilde Brown replaced Jess Park.
Chelsea came close again in the 80th minute, with Rytting Kaneryd striking the crossbar.
As the match approached full-time, City struck again in the 89th minute to double their lead. Kerolin picked out Miedema inside the box, and the Dutch forward clinically slotted the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. Miedema’s impact off the bench had been decisive.
Five minutes of stoppage time were added, but City held firm to secure a crucial two-goal
advantage.
Full-Time Summary:
Advantage Manchester City! With a two-goal cushion heading into the second leg, City put themselves in a strong position. They were the dominant side on the night, while Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the season. However, the tie is far from over, and all eyes will now turn to the second leg. Before that, these two sides will meet again on Sunday in the league, setting up another highly anticipated clash.
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