Sonia Bompastor happy with Chelsea efficiency but has Lauren James fitness worry
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor felt her side delivered an efficient display to beat FC Twente 3-1 for a second straight Champions League win, but faces an anxious wait on the fitness of Lauren James.
The Women’s Super League champions sit top of Group B after successive European victories.
Bompastor, though, had been forced into a late change to her initial starting XI with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd replacing England forward James who had picked up a foot issue.
James has been replaced in the XI by Kaneryd. #UWCL | #CFCW https://t.co/4mnrp9BhmH
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) October 17, 2024
“In the last moment of warm-up she felt something in her foot,” Bompastor said, quoted on the Chelsea club website.
“At the moment it’s too early for me to say something else about LJ. We will have to assess her tomorrow in London and see how she feels.’
Aggie Beever-Jones fired the Blues into an early lead in Enschede before a stunning long-range effort from Maika Hamano doubled their advantage ahead of half-time.
Guro Reiten added a third from the penalty spot in the second half, her 50th goal for Chelsea, with Nikee van Dijk pulling one back for Twente in the 68th minute.
ABJ with Chelsea's opener 🔵#UWCL pic.twitter.com/OcposvKOBE
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) October 17, 2024
“We started the game strongly. We were efficient being able to score really quickly,” Bompastor said.
“We saw some good movement from the players. For me, we just got the three points which is really important. We are top now which is the main goal.
“Also, we had the opportunity to rotate and manage some players. Some players could rest in preparation for the (WSL) game on Sunday (against Tottenham).
“It just shows how much quality there is in the group, and also how much I trust everyone in the group.
“It’s good to have the quality in the group to make sure we can rotate and play every single game with a lot of competition.”