Chelsea’s bad week continued as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by BK Hacken in the Women’s Champions League on Thursday, just four days after their 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Despite the motivation to win following the weekend, Chelsea failed to take home all three points.
The result leaves the Blues in second place in Group D with five points from three games, two points behind the Swedish team.
Speaking in the pre-match media conference regarding their loss to Arsenal, striker Sam Kerr said: “We don’t lose a lot here at Chelsea so there’s always motivation to bounce back.”
Chelsea controlled most of the game with 70% possession and 22 shots, yet they failed to convert their control into a goal.
“We’re frustrated because for the amount of the ball and final third entries we had, there wasn’t enough quality from the team as a whole.
“But we got a point, we still have to go to Gothenburg and I think when you have moments that are tricky in a season, you can’t expect to go through a season entirely perfect,” said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.
Erin Cuthbert came close to giving Chelsea the lead in the 27th minute after she received a pass in the centre of box from Guro Reiten, who got her first start in nearly two months after picking up an ankle ligament injury in October. The Norwegian’s subsequent shot rattled the crossbar and bounced awkwardly just in front of the goal line before Hacken managed to scramble the ball away from danger.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd also had an opportunity to put Chelsea ahead in the 58th minute when Cuthbert played a cutting ball through the heart of the Hacken defence and straight into Kaneryd’s path, but her shot was well saved by Jennifer Falk in goal to deny Kaneryd from scoring against her former club. The Swede signed for Chelsea from Hacken in August 2022 on a three-year deal.
Sam Kerr had the ball in the net in the 74th minute after she met a pin-point cross from substitute Lauren James’ weaker left foot with her head. The ball looped up and over the keeper and into the goal, but before any celebrations could take place the lineswoman ruled it out for offside.
“I think we lacked calm and composure as the game went on. I could see the frustration amongst the players.
“We’ve scored multiple goals up until the past two games and I think when you have these moments you get to see the character of your players come through… very good footballers struggled to do basic things tonight,” said Hayes.
Chelsea’s next opponents are Real Madrid, who are bottom of the group after losing 2-1 to Paris FC earlier in the night.
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