[ad_1]
Chelsea Ladies’s subsequent six video games see them compete in 4 competitions – and the outcomes will likely be season-defining.
The run-in. Crunch time. Squeaky-bum time. Nonetheless you describe that tense a part of the season when the whole lot is on the road, we’re on the cusp of its beginnings as we head into March.
For Chelsea, over the approaching weeks, they may discover themselves with the whole lot nonetheless to play for – or nothing.
It’s a interval that may finally decide the success of their season and maybe the legacy of the departing Emma Hayes.
All of it begins on Thursday March 7 as they journey to Manchester Metropolis within the Conti Cup semi-finals. They’ll face a workforce who beat them solely three weeks earlier within the WSL, and are sizzling on their heels within the title race.
In no way a straightforward process, it is going to take a look at the ‘mentality monsters’ tag the Blues have been given to succeed in the Conti Cup closing on March 31 at Molineux.
That is adopted up one other cup competitors, with an FA Cup quarter-final in opposition to Everton on Sunday March 10.
Whereas FA Cup holders Chelsea would be the favourites heading into the conflict at Walton Corridor Park, a one-off cup tie can throw up any method of surprises.
Then, it’s again into their WSL title defence as they host Arsenal on Friday March 15 at Stamford Bridge, stay on Sky Sports activities.
The Gunners are at present three factors behind Chelsea within the desk, and after a bruising 4-1 defeat on the Emirates within the reverse fixture, a contact of revenge might be on the playing cards.
Friday fifteenth March 6:30pm
Kick off 7:00pm
A league double for Arsenal would see them stage on factors with each Chelsea and Man Metropolis – though Gareth Taylor’s facet won’t play till later that weekend and will go clear on the prime ought to they win and the Blues lose.
Nonetheless, victory for Chelsea would see them re-establish their three-point lead, placing the strain on Man Metropolis away to Brighton on Sunday March 17. It will additionally make a continued title push for Arsenal far tougher.
After an enormous WSL conflict in opposition to a title rival, the video games don’t get any simpler. Chelsea then restart their Champions League marketing campaign, dealing with Ajax of their quarter-final tie, with the primary leg on Tuesday March 19 in Amsterdam.
The Dutch facet – regardless of relative newcomers to European competitors – proved themselves in a troublesome group together with PSG, Bayern and Roma.
However Hayes will wish to add the Champions League to finish her Chelsea trophy roster – the one she is but to win along with her beloved Blues.
Sandwiched in between the 2 legs is one other WSL match, this time in opposition to West Ham on Sunday March 24, stay on Sky Sports activities.
Highlights from the Ladies’s Tremendous League match between Leicester and Chelsea.
With only a handful of league matches to play and workforce round them selecting up factors, will probably be important for Chelsea to have a powerful efficiency and preserve their title push.
To spherical up a doubtlessly season-defining run of matches would be the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final in opposition to Ajax, taking part in at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday March 27.
In fact, a lot of the strain will hinge on the combination rating from the primary leg. A victory would arrange a semi-final tie with their previous nemesis and present title holders, Barcelona, or Norwegian facet SK Brann.
And far of their success – or in any other case – over the approaching weeks may come right down to accidents. Mia Fishel added her identify to the checklist over the worldwide break, tearing her ACL. She is going to now observe the identical rehabilitation as Sam Kerr, who additionally injured her ACL on Chelsea’s warm-weather camp in January.
Chelsea’s star striker Sam Kerr is at present sidelined with an ACL harm
Millie Shiny continues her comeback from her personal knee harm – though not an ACL – whereas Fran Kirby faces intermittent spells out with knocks, though did come on as an alternative on Sunday in opposition to Leicester.
However Hayes has proven repeatedly that she will win even in essentially the most tough of circumstances in opposition to the hardest of opponents. A troublesome run of fixtures and a contact of adversity will solely strengthen her and Chelsea’s resolve.
Catarina Macario seems again her on her ACL journey as she lastly makes her return to soccer and what it means to her to attain on her Chelsea debut.
The Blues had been additionally given an enormous enhance on Sunday with the debut of Catarina Macario, who additionally scored her first aim for the membership. So too did big-money January arrival Mayra Ramirez, who confirmed unimaginable energy and combat to win the ball earlier than firing house.
It demonstrates the unimaginable energy in depth in Chelsea’s squad. Every participant will must be utilised to make sure Chelsea will not be simply taking part in for pleasure on the finish of March and past, however nonetheless competing for an unprecedented quadruple that would actually cement Hayes’ legacy.
[ad_2]
Source link
