Strong performance against Chelsea goes unrewarded

The Violets suffered a 0–1 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday evening at Plough Lane in London. Despite being clear underdogs, Austria put up a brave fight for the full 90 minutes on their debut in the league phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and gave the Blues a close contest. After conceding an early goal, Austria showed little sign of letting up and created a number of good chances of their own.

It was no secret that the Veilchen would be the underdogs in this match. Nevertheless, the Veilchen started the game on the front foot and showed that they weren’t going to let themselves be beaten. As early as the 4th minute, Louise Schöffel posed a threat for the first time with her pace. She sprinted forward down the wing, played the ball to Modesta Uka and then won the Veilchen’s first corner. However, it was a little too sharp and flew over both friend and foe. Three minutes later, Chelsea had their first shot on goal, but Jasmin Pal was on hand to make a confident save.

Early deficit despite a courageous performance

Austria remained courageous and kept launching incisive attacks up front. In the 11th minute, however, the hosts took the lead: Katharina Schiechtl initially managed to thwart an early attempt, but Chelsea retained possession. Wieke Kaptein then took a shot; her effort flew over Pal and onto the crossbar, before bouncing into the net – 0–1.

The Violets were not fazed by this, however. Schöffel tested the Chelsea goalkeeper with a shot from the wing in the 17th minute; shortly afterwards, the Violet defence, led by Virginia Kirchberger-Prohaska and her teammates, repeatedly ensured that the Londoners were unable to see their attacks through to a conclusion. In the 32nd minute, there was another dangerous moment: Elisa Pfattner played a short corner to Uka, but Chelsea managed to block her shot. Kirchberger-Prohaska got to the rebound but sent the ball over the bar from close range.

Shortly before half-time, Austria had their next big chance. In the 40th minute, Uka skilfully dribbled past several opponents and laid the ball off to Schöffel. She got a shot away, but sent the ball just wide of the goal with her right foot. So, after a confident and spirited first half, the teams went into the break with Austria trailing 0–1. The travelling ‘Violet’ fans also created a great atmosphere in the stands.

Austria push for an equaliser

After the break, Austria remained in the game. Chelsea did have a shot on goal in the 50th minute, but Pal made a confident save. The goalkeeper was also on hand for the Londoners’ next good chance, keeping the ‘Violets’ in the game.

Austria continued to pose a threat going forward. Following a free-kick in the 52nd minute, Uka had a shot on goal, but her attempt was blocked by Chelsea. Four minutes later, Uka sent another free-kick high and accurately towards the goal, but the goalkeeper was there to save it. Valentina Pötzl also tested her in the 57th minute.

In the 60th minute, Pal had to intervene again and saved a Chelsea shot. On the follow-up, the ball struck Schiechtl on the back, inadvertently but effectively preventing a worse outcome. Just two minutes later, Austria came close to equalising at the other end: Patricia Pfanner played the ball to Uka, whose shot the Chelsea goalkeeper just managed to tip wide with a fine save.

Chelsea were now relying mainly on counter-attacks, whilst the Violets continued to push forward. In the 70th minute, Pötzl had another good chance, but her shot went narrowly wide of the goal. Four minutes later, Chelsea sent a shot over the bar, before Austria provided another highlight in the 76th minute: Pötzl sprinted forward and picked out Uka, who, with another superb piece of play, struck the ball against the left-hand post.

A battle right up to the final whistle

Following the substitutions of Schöffel and Uka, Chelsea began to make more of an impact in the Violets’ half. Pal, however, remained alert and confidently caught a corner in the 83rd minute. Austria also gave it their all in attack right until the end: in the 85th minute, Pötzl headed on a cross from Tatjana Weiss, but the ball ended up in the hands of the Chelsea goalkeeper. In the 89th minute, Elisa Pfattner tried her luck from distance once more – again straight at Livia Peng in the Blues’ goal.

In the end, the score remained 0–1. Although the Violets were narrowly beaten by favourites Chelsea FC, they put in a strong, courageous and combative performance for long stretches of the match. Especially after conceding an early goal, Austria remained active, created several good chances and made life difficult for the London side right up until the final whistle. A good performance that they can build on in next week’s home match against Inter Milan.

Chelsea – Austria Wien 1–0 (1–0)

Austria: Pal – Wenninger, Schiechtl, Kirchberger – Schöffel (Cordes 79’), Pfattner (Orkić 90+2’), Weiss (Pucci 90+2’), Hanshaw – Pötzl, Uka (Šišić 79'), Pfanner (Jakobsen 66')

Goal: Kaptein (11')

Yellow card (Austria): Šišić (89')

Plough Lane, 846 fans; referee Miriama Bočková