Thank you so much for joining me this evening! Chelsea are through to the quarter-finals after a 4-0 win over Vllaznia, have a read of the report below. I’ll catch you here next week for the final Champions League round.
Chelsea are happy after that win!
Quarter-final feeling! 😄#UWCL pic.twitter.com/B8VPaTwRBt
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) December 16, 2022
Here’s Svitkova’s goal, Chelsea’s third of the evening:
Chelsea FINALLY get their 3️⃣rd!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 16, 2022
Svitkova nods home and the quarter-finals are calling😍
🇬🇧 🎙 👉 https://t.co/PRm1ddjIPg
🇦🇱 🎙 👉 https://t.co/GeQtbXwJDW pic.twitter.com/2Zab88eCvT
Quite a poetic night for Chelsea!
December 16th, 2021: Chelsea knocked out of UWCL group stage❌
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 16, 2022
December 16th, 2022: Chelsea qualify from UWCL group of death✅
What a difference a year makes🤩 pic.twitter.com/3Gucg52gxo
Anyone have any predictions on who they think will lift the trophy this season? I think Barcelona will get their hands on it.
Both England teams in the Champions League group stage have made it to the quarter-final stage with Arsenal joining Chelsea in the knock-out phases. Could we have another English name on the trophy? There has only ever been one, Arsenal in 2007, and the closest since have been Cheslea – they were beaten in the 2020/21 final by Barcelona.
Roma and St Polten is back underway after that pitch inspection and it is currently 0-0. There are also two later kick-offs today, PSG and Real Madrid and Wolfsburg and Slavia Praha will play one another.
I say a convincing result, and it was, but Chelsea could have had a lot more. They were sloppy on a few plays and they will want to improve ahead of next week’s final group match.
Full-time: Vllaznia 0-4 Chelsea
Chelsea are through to the Champions League quarter-final after a convincing result over Vllaznia. The hosts did make it tricky for the Blues but Chelsea had the match sewn up by the break. A much improved side in Vllaznia though.
PENALTY! Vllaznia 0-4 Chelsea (Mjelde, 90 + 3')
Mjelde sends the keeper the wrong way! What a moment for a player who has suffered with injury this season.
90 + 2 min: Chelsea have a penalty! Vllaznia are fuming and it is given for handball. Mjelde is stepping up.
90 + 2 min: There will be three minutes added. David has got in touch via email and had his say on Kirby’s goal, saying: “Assuming the ball was in the right place and wasn’t moving when Chelsea took the free kick, it’s absolutely a legitimate goal. Defenders switched off, attackers didn’t.”
90 min: Williams-Mosier spills the ball in front of Kerr but she can’t pounce fast enough for a fourth. Vllaznia make a change as Ramadan is off for Vuksani.
88 min: Chelsea aren’t done yet as they come forward again but Nouwen’s cross is straight to Williams-Mosier.
GOAL! Vllaznia 0-3 Chelsea (Svitkova, 87')
Yes they can! It is well handled by Vllaznia to begin with but Chelsea get it back and Svitkova bends it in.
Updated
86 min: Chelsea have another corner with another good defensive effort from Malici. Chelsea get it in but Mjelde’s shot is wide. Chelsea win another corner, can they do anything with it this time?
84 min: Chelsea have another corner as Malici defends a cross. Svitkova is on this one and she sends it in but Vllaznia deal with it well. Chelsea are with the ball once more and Kerr skims the ball across goal but no one is there to tap it in. So frustrating for the visitors.
82 min: Vllaznia make a change as Cavanagh coming off for Kodra. Svitkova and James have a great one two but James’ resulting cross can’t find anyone.
80 min: Vllaznia do well to shepherd a high ball to Williams-Moiser. Chelsea are still in possession but are not doing a lot with it at the moment. James hits one on target but the keeper saves well.
78 min: Chelsea have made more changes with Rytting-Kaneryd and Carter on for Kirby and Charles. Franja is the only player really offering anything for the hosts at the moment she wins another free kick but as she sends it in her teammates are ruled offside.
74 min: Svitkova puts the ball into the box but Kirby’s header is out. James gives away a free kick with a foul on Franja but the hosts will have to build from deep if they want anything from this.
72 min: Chelsea are coming again but there is no energy in their attack and they just feel slightly sloppy in this second 45. Franja makes a good break but Chelsea contain the threat.
70 min: Chelsea are working it around the box but Vllaznia are glued to the ball but there is a lovely ball to Svitkova. She passes to Kerr who thinks she has her goal but it is ruled offside.
67 min: Chelsea are on the attack again but it’s blocked by the hosts. There’s another corner for Chelsea and Reiten is the taker, it’s sent in but it’s been repelled.
Updated
65 min: It feels as though Chelsea feel they have the win in their hands and they are giving up. Emma Hayes may feel the same as she makes three changes with Svitkova, Mjelde and James coming on.
63 min: Vllaznia has a free kick and Franja takes it just over halfway, Fleming dealt with it but concedes a corner. It’s their first of the match and the best spell of play here. It comes it but Lufo’s header is wide.
61 min: Here come Chelsea again but it is overhit by Reiten. The game has really slowed with chances raining in for Chelsea but no conversion in this second 45.
59 min: Another corner at Malici sends it out at the near post. Reiten the taker but Williams-Mosier picks it out, the keeper is having a great game. The ball comes to Kerr in the box but her shot is blocked, it doesn’t feel like the striker’s day today.
57 min: Just a comparison to the first match between these two, Kerr scored four in 60 minutes so the hosts have improved from that first encounter. Kerr looked to pounce on a Kirby cross but Vllaznia concede a corner.
55 min: A pass has too much on it to find Kirby, if Chelsea were more slick in this match they would be steaming away on the scoreline.
53 min: If Vllaznia’s attack was as good as their defence they would have a real chance in these Champions League matches. The ball comes in for Chelsea, trying to find Cankovic but Williams-Mosier collects once more.
51 min: Chelsea are a whisker away from getting another here but Gjini sends it out for a corner. Reiten is over this one, it comes in but Malici sends it out for another corner. Reiten hits it again but Vllaznia smother the chance.
49 min: Charles tries to work the ball into the box but she is ruled offside. Vllaznia really hasn’t pulled a punch yet, they haven’t even had a shot near their goal. Fleming puts the ball in but Kerr can’t quite connect to it.
47 min: Borci and Dvaidson are on for Vllaznia. Chelsea try and get Reiten into the second half immediately but it has too much on it and is out for a goal kick.
Back underway! Vllaznia 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea are surely going to run away with this now. But you never know how the Champions League is going to turn out. We will find out soon! Vllaznia have made a change with Shala and Popovic off.
After a pitch inspection the game between Roma and St Polten will be restarted at 8.15 GMT! The pitch looked waterlogged by the video.
What do you make of Kirby’s goal? Shouldn’t be allowed or tactical genius from Chelsea?
Vllaznia are fuming as Fran Kirby doubles Chelsea's lead😳
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 16, 2022
🇬🇧 🎙 👉 https://t.co/PRm1ddjIPg
🇦🇱 🎙 👉 https://t.co/GeQtbXwJDW pic.twitter.com/mwnuHnERY0
Elsewhere in the league there is going to be a pitch inspection for Roma’s match against St Polten after the players started their game. As you can see the rain is heavy!
Roma vs. St. Pölten:
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 16, 2022
UPDATE: There will be a pitch inspection shortly to assess the suitability of the pitch to continue the match. pic.twitter.com/Q22XUCRCno
Williams-Mosier has faced DAZN at half-time and says: “They [Chelsea] are a great team and us holding them to two shows we are progressing.”
Half-time: Vllaznia 0-2 Chelsea
We are at the break and the hosts are yet to get into this with Chelsea in full control. Ingle and Kirby the difference so far.
45 min: Williams-Mosier does well to punch the ball from Perisset away which results in a corner. The French player will take the corner, it comes to Reiten on the edge of the area but she can’t convert.
44 min: Kirby got a great cross into the box but no teammate was there to reap the rewards. Williams-Mosier does well to come out and punch a chance away. Chelsea have won a free kick on the edge of the area as Reiten is fouled by Popovic, who gets a yellow card.
42 min: Fleming and Kirby don’t quite link up in the box as the visitors look to bury this game. Remember Chelsea only need a point to secure a quarter-final spot.
40 min: It’s been slow going this match with Vllaznia doing well, although 2-0 down, to repel Chelsea. Doci is frustrated as Chelsea are given a corner where she believes it was a goal kick. Perisset takes the kick but Cankovic’s shot is blocked.
38 min: Charles tries to find Reiten but it has too much on it and goes out for a goal kick.
36 min: Nouwen tries to trigger a long range shot but it’s blocked. Ingle fouls in the box and Vllaznia have a free kick, Williams-Mosier will take it. It’s bundled into the midfield and yes Chelsea are in possession.
34 min: Franja tries to create some attack for the home side but Chelsea are quickly back in control. Vllaznia are putting in a good defensive effort as they repel another chance. You can hear a small group of fans in the stadium, you can’t see them as the cameras are on the opposite side.
32 min: The scoreboard is definitely in Chelsea’s favour but they need to convert some more plays for this to be a convincing performance. Something missing from this match and I can’t quite put my finger on what.
30 min: Perisset sends it in but Lufo heads it out for another corner. Perisset sends it in once more, Nouwen has a header on target but Williams-Mosier catches.
28 min: Franja gives away a cheap free kick, who gers a warning from the referee, and Perisset stands over the set piece once again. This time she decides to take it short, the ball eventually coming into the box but not connecting with Kirby. Chelsea, yes you have guessed it, are on the attack again and Gjini hits out the attack for a corner.
26 min: Chelsea have a free kick after Franja fouls Kirby, Perisset takes the kick which she does but they are pulled back for a foul in the box. Gjerji gets a yellow card before Perisset lines up to take it again. It’s thundered in but it’s repelled. Buchanan picks up the rolling ball and Chelsea are off again.
24 min: Chelsea are on the hunt for their third before half an hour here, this could be a painful evening for the hosts. Perisset was waiting on the edge of the box but the pass to her had too much on it.
22 min: Vllaznia protest to the referee, they really were not prepared for that to be taken, but the official has none of it. It was well worked by Chelsea, a good run from Kirby seeing her slot it in the top left corner.
GOAL! Vllaznia 0-2 Chelsea (Kirby, 21')
Perisset crosses it in but it’s initially dealt with by Vllaznia. Is that a goal? Chelsea take a free kick quickly and Kirby scores!
Updated
20 min: Chelsea are being patient on the ball but there are a few chances going to waste at the moment with Ingle trying to find Kirby with a loose pass in their latest attack. They then come forward once more and Kerr has a shot which is pushed wide by Williams-Mosier, Chelsea corner to come.
18 min: Perisset sends it in but it’s cleared by Franja. Vllaznia try to counter by Doci, who sends in a long range hit but Musovic saves.
16 min: Kerr fouls Popovic in the Chelsea box so the latest threat is dealt with by Vllaznia. The Chelsea are running through the phases here, not quite into top gear. The latest chance is put behind by Gjergji for a Chelsea corner.
14 min: The ball was pinballing around the box and Ingle found herself in a great position, she took a one touch finish to score in the bottom right corner. It feels as though the goals will rain in now the first has been scored.
GOAL! Vllaznia 0-1 Chelsea (Ingle, 13')
And there it is, calmly slotted home.
12 min: There’s a player down, it’s Doci, and she doesn’t look good. She was hit by a close range ball, hopefully she is okay. And she is back to her feet, she is clutching her side but she will continue here. Vllaznia have their first attacking chance here but Shala can’t get it away.
10 min: A ball comes in for Kerr but she can’t get to it before Williams-Mosier, the keeper is having a great game so far. Reiten gets a good cross in but Doci hits it out for a corner. Perisset sends it in but Chelsea can’t convert it.
8 min: Perisset sent it in but Vllaznia clears it but Chelsea are still in full control of this match. Vllaznia are doing enough so far to repel the visitors but it feels like a matter of time.
6 min: Kirby unleashes Kerr who is forced to pass on after a great press from Vllaznia. Nouwen crosses into the box but Williams-Mosier collects. Chelsea are still hammering the line and they earn themselves a corner.
4 min: Kerr gets it in but it’s cleared by Vllaznia but they concede a corner. Perisset takes it and Williams-Mosier punches away for another corner. Perisset takes it short and Ingle sends it in but it’s cleared.
2 min: Nouwen and Buchanan link up well and Perisset sends it in but Williams-Mosier collects. All Chelsea so far.
Kick-off! Vllaznia 0-0 Chelsea
Here we go! Can Chelsea secure their spot in the knock-out stage? Or can Vllaznia get their first win in the tournament?
The players will be out shortly, are we expecting a high scoring again like the reverse fixture? Let me know via Twitter and email.
Hayes also spoke about almost throwing away points against Reading in the WSL last weekend. She added: “We were 3-0 up and in a really strong position, and it was five minutes of sustained pressure that as a team we didn’t manage particularly well.
“But overall I think we played really well against Reading. As a team we always expect the best all of the time, and over the years we’ve had in this competition it’s been no different. We want to produce our best performances in every game we play.”
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes is keen for her side not to under-estimate their opponents this evening. She said: “We have to expect they will have learned from their European journey and for us to be the top professionals that we are, to make sure we’re ready for the things they’ve worked on.”
Chelsea only need a point this evening to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. If Real Madrid fail to beat Paris Saint-Germain, the other game in Chelsea’s group, then the Blues will go through even if Vllaznia defeat them.
Harriet has got in touch and come to my rescue! She has said via email: “I’ve always found that those little chocolate bars with crispy rice in them take the edge off those work-related adrenaline spikes. I personally think the Hershey’s Krackel are the best sort but they don’t come in full-size bars anymore. Wonder what everyone else thinks?” I am about to tuck into some Celebrations but any other tips will be helpful!
There has been some exciting news in women’s football today for Arsenal fans as Beth Mead has signed a new contract. The club has not specifically said how long the deal is but it’s thought to be long-term.
So… Meado is here to stay 🏡
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) December 16, 2022
Use our mentions below to show our No 9 just how much she’s appreciated by the Arsenal family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/yKbwUg0o0S
I have found Vllaznia’s team news!
Here’s the full team: Williams-Mosier, Popovic, Gjergji, Maliqi, Gjini, Ramadani, Franja, Doci, Shala, Cavanaugh, Lufo
Gosh you know after you’ve been stressed it feels like you’re on the top of the mountain? I have that feeling right now, just need to calm down for a few seconds haha!
Arsenal were defeated by Lyon 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium but it did not stop the London club from qualifying from the quarter-finals. They will have to beat Zurich next week in order to top the group. Their qualification came at a price though as star striker Vivianne Miedema was hit with a serious injury. Arsenal are yet to update fans but it didn’t look good when the Netherlands international was stretchered off. Read about all the action:
Okay the laptop is finally behaving itself and I have climbed down from my stress high! The adrenaline is fresh through my body so this will be an exhilarating match! Let’s have a look back at last night shall we to calm down?
I apologise for my posts right now, I’ll be back in full flow in just a moment! My laptop has decided to have a full breakdown at the worst time.
Updated
Chelsea have named their starting XI for tonight’s match.
The team is: Musovic, Nouwen, Ingle, Reiten, Kirby,Perisset, Fleming, Kerr, Charles, Buchanan, Cankovic.
I will have a search around Fife Vllaznia’s news now!
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Preamble
Welcome back to our coverage of the Women’s Champions League! Tonight we have Vllaznia and Chelsea. Can Chelsea deal a huge blow as they did the last time the two met? Or can the underdogs win?
Last time the two faced each other was in this competition where Chelsea won 8-0. In that match Sam Kerr became the first woman to score four goals in the group stage in the tournament. Can the Australian reach the same heights? She is named in Chelsea’s team so she could.
The team news is out so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 5.45pm!
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