Sonia Bompastor praises Chelsea for frustrating Arsenal and says more work needs be to done ahead of WSL season
SONIA BOMPASTOR is keen to keep building Chelsea’s team spirit following an unbeaten start to her Blues reign.
It is a case of so far good two months into the Blues’ chief’s reign with her team beating Arsenal in their first friendly since she took charge in July.
Bompastor, who took over from Emma Hayes, has notched up two friendly wins including a 1-0 defeat of the Gunners during a United States pre-season tour
Sandy Baltimore’s close-range, walloped effort, following by a clever intervention from Maika Hamano, was enough to seal victory last night despite a fight-back from their opponents.
Bompastor, whose side host Feyenoord in a September 7 friendly, said: “What I take from the game is we worked really hard as a team.
“Even if we had some difficult moments, we were able to manage them.
“There is a good team spirit in times like that and of course the result is good, even if we know we still need to work.
“These two games – are good games to build on and progress.
Of Baltimore’s first goal in a Chelsea shirt, she added: “I feel really happy for her because it’s always something special to have the opportunity to score for your first goal with your new team.
“It will give her some confidence and it’s always good for her to get highlighted. That’s a good thing.”
The result left the Gunners, who begin their push for a Champions League group stage place next week, with a few things to ponder in terms of their attack.
Star forward Beth Mead withdrew last night’s game shortly before kick-off and Stina Blackstenius is out of match action as she works her back from a hip issue.
Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall told the supporters site Arseblog: “When I summarise this trip there are a lot of positives but the clear negative for us is that we have poor player availability.
“We come away from this trip disappointed that we haven’t been able to nurture more of the key relationships that we want to have this year.
“We need to get players back on the pitch because to have a fast start, we need those relationships.”
Off the back of Chelsea’s 3-1 win against National Women’s Soccer League champions Gotham FC, the France-born boss made use of most of the squad at her disposal.
Lauren James was a notable absentee with the player missing the match due to an unspecified injury.
But the forward is expected to be okay following Chelsea’s return to London.
Eleven substitutes featured for Bompastor in a match that underlined the attacking and defensive depth of one of Europe’s most intimidating sides.
Among the starters was Japan playmaker Maika Hamano, one of the best performer on the night, who provided the assist for Baltimore after pinching the ball off Kim Little.
Lucy Bronze and teenage Netherlands midfielder Wieke Kaptein were also among the new Blues who started, with Kaptein, 18, at times controlling the midfield in the game’s early stages.
Following Baltimore’s 48th minute strike Arsenal took control of the game.
This followed the introduction of Frida Maanum and summer signing Mariona Caldentey, with the ex-Barcelona forward causing problems on the left flank.
While they dominated with Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord lively in attack, the Gunners were unable to make their dominance count with Chelsea thwarting them in the final third.
This is something Eidevall will be eager to rectify ahead of the team’s Champions League first round qualifier clash with Rangers on September 4.