Rytting Kaneryd and Kerr denied as Häcken hold on for point at Chelsea

Chelsea faced a resilient Häcken in their return to Champions League action, resulting in a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. Despite dominating possession, the Blues struggled to showcase their quality in front of goal against a solid defensive setup.

Manager Emma Hayes expressed frustration at her team’s lack of technical prowess, emphasizing the poor execution during the match. She highlighted the need for better decision-making when facing a defensive block, stating, “When you’re playing against a block, you can’t just play into it like we did. We’re a bit frustrated and quite rightly so.”

Coming off a challenging 4-1 loss to Arsenal, Chelsea sought a more positive result in this crucial encounter against the Group D leaders. With captain Millie Bright still injured, Hayes made strategic changes, including Kadeisha Buchanan in central defense and Zecira Musovic in goal.

Chelsea, unbeaten in the Champions League with a draw and a win against Real Madrid and Paris FC, respectively, faced a resilient Häcken side with two wins from two. Despite controlling possession, Chelsea’s attacking line lacked its usual sharpness, with Fran Kirby attempting to boost energy levels through creativity.

The first half produced few clear-cut chances, with only two of Chelsea’s 10 attempts on target. Häcken, known for their counterattacks, showed renewed intent in the second half. Monica Jusu Bah’s introduction added impetus, but Chelsea weathered the surge and regained control.

Despite sustained pressure, Chelsea failed to break through Häcken’s defense. Goalkeeper Jennifer Falk made a superb save, and chances for Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, and Niamh Charles went unconverted. Manager Hayes attempted to spark the team by introducing Lauren James and Sjoeke Nüsken, but an offside ruling denied Kerr’s headed goal.

The goalless draw left Chelsea contemplating missed opportunities and the need for sharper execution in future matches.