Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by a resilient Häcken in their return to Champions League action. The Blues dominated possession but struggled to show their quality in front of goal when faced with a solid defensive setup.
Emma Hayes rued her side’s lack of technical prowess on a frustrating evening at Stamford Bridge. “The technical execution from us tonight was really poor,” she remarked. “I can’t talk tactics when you can get in through different phases quite easily.
“In the first half … it was the technical for me. The second half, even more so. 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.”
Chelsea returned to the relative home comforts after a chastening loss to Arsenal. The 4-1 defeat had been their heaviest in any competition since December 2021 and raised questions about a team who had been showing strong form.
This encounter against the current leaders of Group D was crucial with their Champions League ambitions well-documented. They came in unbeaten in the competition having recorded a draw and win over Real Madrid and Paris FC respectively.
Hayes rang the changes in response to her team’s display at the weekend. With the captain, Millie Bright, still injured, Kadeisha Buchanan came into central defence while Zecira Musovic started in goal. In addition, Guro Reiten, Fran Kirby and Sophie Ingle were all named in the starting lineup.
Häcken have, however, proved stern opposition so far this campaign with two wins from two. Mak Lind’s side are strong across the pitch and able to cause problems in transition. The Swedes, however, do have the challenge of currently playing out of the Damallsvenskan season, making European competition a tough ask.
As expected, Chelsea controlled the ball with their attacking line trying to find the spaces but lacking their customary bite. Kirby was at the heart of every attack, attempting to lift the energy levels with her trademark creativity and vision but the hosts were restricted to set-piece deliveries in the early stages.
It was a half of few clearcut chances, with just two of Chelsea’s 10 on target. Sam Kerr saw a first-time strike from a corner fade narrowly wide before Erin Cuthbert, arriving on the edge of the box, thumped a volley off the underside of the crossbar. It bounced mere inches the wrong side of the goalline, a moment that summed up the Blues’ first half.
Häcken had been restricted to a handful of counterattacks but came out in the second half with renewed intent to push forward, aided by the introduction of Monica Jusu Bah. She almost had an immediate impact when she raced forward but was tracked all the way by a diligent Buchanan.
Chelsea weathered the surge from their opponents before moving through the gears once more to place the resilient Häcken defence under sustained pressure. Jennifer Falk was required to make a superb save to deny Johanna Rytting Kaneryd from point-blank range before a trademark header from Kerr clipped the top of the crossbar. Chances also came and went for Kirby and Niamh Charles as Chelsea’s clinical edge continued to prove lacking.
Hayes tried to ignite proceedings with the introduction of Lauren James and Sjoeke Nüsken on 64 minutes. James immediately added impetus and set up Kerr to head home. The Australian, however, had misjudged her run and strayed into an offside position.
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In a game of uncharacteristically few opportunities from a Chelsea side that is known for its attacking proclivity, the hosts had to settle for a point that kept them in second place in the group. It was a result that will heap the pressure on Hayes’ side ahead of the return match in Gothenburg next week.
