Melanie Leupolz has opened up on her emotional first game back for Chelsea following her maternity leave.
Leupolz, 28, had not played since a Champions League tie with Wolfsburg back in December 2021 but returned to the Blues side for the FA Cup tie with Liverpool at Kingsmeadow on Sunday. It proved a triumphant comeback for the German international as Chelsea won a five-goal thriller thanks to a Sam Kerr hat-trick.
The midfielder was brought on by manager Emma Hayes with seven minutes remaining and instantly picked up where she left off, looking composed on the ball and helping her side see out the win and advance to the next round. Even before Leupolz stepped back on the pitch, she was given a superb ovation from the Kingsmeadow faithful when her name was read out amongst the substitutes before kick-off.
"It was really special," Leupolz told Chelsea's official website. "It’s a nice feeling to be back with the team, competing for titles and, of course, I'm happy about getting the win on the day.
"I just missed competing with the team every day, because you can always train by yourself but it’s not that much fun, not like training with your team-mates.
"The crowd is always really special at Kingsmeadow, I love all of the fans. To be honest I couldn’t really hear it at the time, so I will watch it back so I can listen. But they always make so much noise and it’s nice to play in front of them."
Maternity support and pay has been a hot topic in the women's game over recent weeks after Iceland captain and Juventus player Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir won her claim against former club Lyon, having not been paid her full salary during pregnancy. Leupolz will have to balance being a new mother with getting back into the Chelsea team and helping the Blues win silverware over the next few months.
The 28-year-old insists she is loving the challenge, adding: "It’s interesting and, of course, it’s quite exhausting. But it’s lovely and I love to combine both (parenthood and playing). I’m happy to be with the team again and having my little child, so everything is good."
Leupolz's manager, Hayes, was also delighted to see the former Bayern Munich star back in Chelsea blue and said she is doing all she can to get back in the starting team.
"It’s brilliant," Hayes added. "She (Leupolz) needs time, which I think you could see, and it’s difficult for her to go back into a game like that She’s doing everything she can, she’s probably not sleeping a lot, and she’s probably trying to figure all that out, but we’re so delighted to have her back."
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