- Chelsea advances despite Ajax equalizer; 4-1 aggregate win
- Chelsea manager acknowledges test amid squad rotation
- Ajax threatens, but Chelsea secures Women’s Champions League semifinal spot
Chelsea advanced to the Women’s Champions League semifinals despite a tenacious Ajax holding them scoreless at Stamford Bridge. Mayra Ramrez gave the visitors the lead before Chasity Grant equalized for the evening in the second half. Despite this, the outcome was inconsequential, as Chelsea advanced 4-1 on aggregate.
Emma Hayes, the manager, acknowledged the test and expressed satisfaction with the significantly transformed Chelsea squad. She stated, “They were capable of scoring; we had the ability to score more in the first half.” “However, anticipation of disruption is necessary when so many modifications are implemented… [With a 4-0 lead] we began to ease up. It is now concluded; I will return to that.”
This is the seventh match of the month for Hayes’ squad in March; it has been an arduous month. This, coupled with Chelsea’s comfortable 3-0 lead that they had carried back from Amsterdam, rendered mass rotation rational. Seven changes were made to the squad that had defeated West Ham, including the return of Fran Kirby and an uncommon start in goal for Zecira Musovic. In the interim, Ramrez debuted in the Champions League following her recovery from an injury.
Despite their first-leg score, the youthful Ajax squad led by Suzanne Bakker demonstrated that they should not be undervalued. The pre-match cautions expressed by Hayes and Erin Cuthbert regarding the dangers of complacency served as clear evidence of the peril they can present. They welcomed back their seasoned captain, Sherida Spitse, and substituted for the suspended Lily Yohannes in place of Jonna van de Velde.
Chelsea was appropriately cautious in response to Ajax’s intense start. Spitse narrowly missed the bar with a corner kick, and Nadine Noordam came close to capitalizing on a Musovic error.
Despite the amount of pressure applied by Ajax, Chelsea’s diverse array of offensive threats have consistently remained present. Aggie Beever-Jones defeated Daliyah de Klonia, and it was on account of her that the hosts executed their most effective maneuvers. With an exquisite cross, she assisted Cuthbert, but the Chelsea captain was only able to divert it wide.
As the first half waned, Ajax ought to have penalized the Blues’ careless possession. Romée Leuchter came close to capitalizing on a turnover but missed the target with her attempt. Tiny Hoekstra then blocked Musovic’s clearance, but it only trickled past the post.
You must be willing to take risks when playing Chelsea, or they will penalize you. That is precisely what Hayes’s squad accomplished in the thirty minutes of play. Cuthbert skillfully retrieved the ball in the middle, and Guro Reiten deftly passed it to Ramrez. As the Colombian international closed in on the goal, Regina van Eijk was powerless to prevent the ball from entering the net due to her phenomenal speed.
Bakker substituted for the struggling de Klonia and introduced Milicia Keijzer, a 20-year-old defender, in an effort to counter Beever-Jones’ effectiveness. Her squad entered the second half with renewed vigor, and Leuchter had two early opportunities that Musovic adroitly blocked.
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As Chelsea struggled to reclaim control of the game, the visitors earned an equalizer in response to their continued efforts. Hoekstra precisely identified Grant based on the path she followed through the middle. As Musovic hastily exited her penalty area, the assailant attempted to strike, and despite the custodian attempting to intercept the ball, it entered the back of the net. She will realize after that that she ought to have performed better.
Hayes altered her strategy in response to the objective, which was intended to stimulate her attack. Nevertheless, their impact was negligible, as Ajax persisted in its threats. Musovic rectified her previous error by tipping wide attempts from Leuchter and Danique Tolhoek.
As time expired, Ajax’s hopes dimmed as Chelsea secured a second consecutive berth in the round of sixteen. Barça or SK Brann may be the opponents, but Hayes will not take anything for granted now that they have been evaluated. “We anticipate our presence,” she declared. “I do not offer any justifications; we ought to be at this stage and in the semifinals… We have not, however, won anything. We’ve arrived at the location we desired. “We are prepared, but I do not know who the opponent will be.”
