Sonia Bombastor asked her players to look at the larger picture after their disappointing 2-2 draw in Brighton & Hove Albion in the Super League of women (WSL).
The reigning Champions League leaders were only held for the second time this season and had to come from behind to reach only one point on the south coast display to avoid defeat. Although Marisa Olislebacker initially took the lead through Sandy Baltimore, shortly afterwards they introduced the hosts back to the level, and captain Vicky Losada fired her before half -time.
Just when she was the last time she was in a comeback against Everton, Lauren James was the rescuer with a balance of the second half to keep Chelsea’s undefeated run. Despite the fact that 30 minutes after the goal was on the clock, Bombastor’s team could not find a late winner.
The manager reminded its players and fans alike to keep the perspective because they maintain a strong lead at the top of the table. Work at the beginning of the season in order to move in the title race so far has admitted one or two wobbling in the end of the campaign.
“In the end I said to the team, of course it is really frustrating and we love to win and hate points, but we have to look at the bigger picture,” said the club website after the game. “We are five points clear and that is the main thing.
“We have to see that no game will be simple by the end of the season. We have to keep the right attitude and be ready to attack every game with the right intentions.”
One of the big topics from the game against the seagulls was a record to sign Naomi Girma’s debut for the blues. After a change from San Diego Wave in January, she first performed for the club and took a little more than 50 minutes before signaling the bank with a niggle.
“She learns from the league, the team and her teammates,” added Bombastor and emphasizes that the girls need time to adapt. “As you could see, the first game is never easy because it is a competitive league.
“It was good for us that she started this game, built up minutes and played with the team. We have to judge it tomorrow, but it doesn’t look bad, but we will see.”
Chelsea will hope that Girma’s injury will not be too serious, since they were already without Niamh Charles, Guro Ritzen, Maika Hamano and Erin Cuthbert. The majority of these players returned from international service with minor injuries, while Cuthbert still recovered from a rib problem last month.
Now the attention is moved to a WSL collision during the week against Leicester City, which was brought up by its original date due to the final commitment of Chelsea’s League Cup. The game on Wednesday follows from visiting Crystal Palace in the quarter -finals of the FA Cup. The month will then be completed with four games against Manchester City in the league -coal final, the WSL and the Champions League against Manchester City.