There was an unrecognizable look on Chelsea’s face on Saturday. Normally this is the part of the season where they stand up and deliver, but the loss to Arsenal really rocked the boat and it showed through to the head coach.
Sonia Bompastre’s admission that the Women’s Super League title is “probably gone” has made headlines across the league. Back-to-back champions with a mentality monster team hand in the towel with nine games remaining.
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal.
A few days later, sitting in a room at Chelsea’s training ground, he felt a little different.
The title is no longer “probably gone.” Sunday is Man City vs Chelsea. League leaders vs. reigning champions. Her team recently defeated an in-form City team in the League Cup semi-finals. Chelsea have one last chance.
“Sunday’s game is a must-win for us,” Bonpastor told Sky Sports. “It will definitely define our season in the league.
“I told the players that I believe we have a lot of quality in the team, that we have enough quality to beat every team in this league starting on Sunday.
“This is a big game. Even if it’s just one game, we’ve already proven that we can beat that team whenever they have a really good dynamic. We expect the same, but a lot needs to happen to be able to achieve that.”
So what has changed in Chelsea’s camp? Bompastor were keen to move on from last weekend’s defeat at Stamford Bridge, but a history lesson has been learned.
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On Pitch to Pod, Nikita Paris and Jordan Nobbs discuss whether Chelsea’s title race is over after dropping points to Arsenal.
Back two years ago, with just a few games left in the season, Man City were at the top of the WSL, six points ahead of Chelsea.
Emma Hayes conceded the title to City, as did Bompastor on Sunday, but the title momentum swung back in Chelsea’s favor and they lifted the title on the final day.
“Some of my players mentioned it to me, but I knew it anyway,” Bompastre says. “I wasn’t there at the time, but I watched the women’s games a lot and followed the league.”
If Chelsea win at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, they will be six points clear of City with eight games remaining and the league leaders will have to face a resurgent Arsenal to get a result.
Of course, it’s not over yet. At least not yet.
Chelsea recently defeated Man City in the League Cup semi-final
“Anything is possible in football,” says the Chelsea manager. “Our job now is to make sure that as a competitor we never give up.
“We want to keep that mentality. We are professionals. We need to work hard and not give up so we can get where we want to be at the end of the season and have no regrets.”
And Chelsea don’t just have history, they also have a lot of medals in their pockets. City’s challenge ahead of them is to cross the line for the first time knowing they have a season-ending animal behind them, ready to pounce on any failure.
And despite having a very healthy lead at the top of the table and no Champions League football to distract them, Bompastre’s message to Man City is very simple. “Winning is always difficult.
“I remember what everyone was saying last season, for example that it would be very easy for Chelsea to win the treble. But I don’t think anything has changed since last season.”
“We are doing the same thing, working hard, going on the pitch every day, increasing the intensity in our training sessions and maintaining the right mentality.
“We were in that position last year and City are in this position now, but I think no matter what position we are in, it will be the same: I will maintain my basic principles and my daily habits.
“This club has such strong DNA that it does not deviate from it.”
Follow Man City vs Chelsea on Sky Sports’ digital platforms on Sunday afternoon, kick-off at 2.30pm, including post-match free match highlights and the rest of the WSL matches.
