Chelsea Champions League Opener
Chelsea begins its eleventh chase for the elusive European title against Austria Wien.
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Key Points
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Chelsea reached the league phase by beating Real Sociedad 6-2 in the qualifying round. The match begins Chelsea’s 11th attempt to win the competition, having reached only one final previously.
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Chelsea have undergone significant squad changes over the summer: long-serving players Sam Kerr and Millie Bright departed, while Melvine Malard, Katie McCabe and Manaka Matsukubo joined. Malard scored her first league goal for Chelsea in the 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
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Austria Wien’s qualifying campaign included a dramatic comeback against Brann: after losing the first leg 2-1 in Norway, Austria won the return match 4-0 at the Franz-Horr-Stadion to advance 5-2 on aggregate.
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Austria Wien also won the Austrian Women’s Cup last season, completing a domestic double. The club’s rise followed its 2021 split from USC Landhaus Wien, after which it established itself as one of Austria’s leading sides.
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The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. BST on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in London, with UK viewers able to watch on Disney+; subscription fees may apply.
Chelsea opened their Women's Champions League league-phase campaign at home against Austria Wien on Wednesday, September 23, seeking the European title that has eluded the club despite its domestic dominance. Chelsea FC won the match 1-0 in a performance that beinsports described as a narrow escape, with Wieke Kapte scoring the decisive goal at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in London.
The victory marked Chelsea's 11th attempt to win the competition after reaching only one final previously. Sky Sports covered the match live as Sonia Bompastor's unbeaten team sought to capitalize on summer squad changes that brought in Melvine Malard, Katie McCabe, and Manaka Matsukubo following the departures of long-serving players Sam Kerr and Millie Bright.
Austria Wien's Surprising Threat in First League Phase
Austria Wien arrived as Austria's reigning domestic champion, fresh from winning the Austrian Women's Cup last season. The club completed a domestic double and had advanced through qualifying with impressive wins over Hajduk Split, Farul Constanța, and most dramatically, Brann. After losing the first leg 2-1 in Norway, Austria Wien stormed back to win 4-0 at home, advancing 5-2 on aggregate.
Modesta Uka was Austria Wien's chief attacking threat, having scored six goals during the qualifying campaign. Head Topics noted that Vienna started positively but Chelsea gradually took control of the match, suggesting the Austrian side posed a genuine test despite being heavy underdogs.
Chelsea's Squad Overhaul Continues to Take Shape
Chelsea underwent significant changes this summer, losing two core players but adding depth and attacking options. Melvine Malard, Katie McCabe, and Manaka Matsukubo joined the club, while Sam Kerr and Millie Bright departed. Malard had already made an impact, scoring her first league goal in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Birmingham City before this Champions League clash.
Sonia Bompastor's squad entered the match unbeaten in the league phase but with several key players unavailable. beinsports highlighted that the 1-0 victory owed much to strong individual performances, even as Chelsea dominated possession and created clear chances throughout the 90 minutes.
Path to European Glory Starts Now
Chelsea qualified for the league phase by thrashing Real Sociedad 6-2 in the qualifying round, signaling their intent to finally end the club's long wait for a Women's Champions League title. The 1-0 opener set up a challenging path through eight league-phase opponents, with each result critical to finishing in a strong position for the knockout stages.
The match at the Cherry Red Records Stadium was broadcast on Disney+ for UK viewers, allowing fans to follow Chelsea as they seek to convert domestic success into European silverware. Bompastor's team had already established itself as a force in English football despite finishing third in the Women's Super League after drawing with Aston Villa.
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