Sonia Bompastor is convinced that Chelsea can “go completely” after he has dumped Manchester City from the Champions League in sparkling style to set up a semi-final meeting with holders Barcelona in April.
The Blues – opposite the city for a fourth consecutive match – had to put it all on the line on Stamford Bridge after losing the road 2-0, their first loss over each competition throughout the season.
Sandy Baltimore shot the hosts at the front in the 14th minute and Nathalie Bjorn nodded a second before Mayra Ramirez added the decisive third in an exciting first half of comeback.
Bompastor, who has won the Champions League as a player and coach, will now have to limit a way to beat reigning champions Barcelona if she will reach her promise to reach a first final since 2021.
“We have all the quality to go completely,” she said TNT.
“Barcelona has a lot of talent, it will be a tough game. But for us it is time to enjoy tonight. A really great achievement and we will later see how we can concentrate in the semi -final and Barcelona.
“What a special evening for our fans. After the first stage I knew we could do it. It's something to say, and then you have to turn words into action.
“In football, when you are live, everything becomes possible. I told my players that we have a great season and we didn't have this scenario in which we had to come back, but tonight we had to make memories and the girls did that. They believed it was possible and posted it all.
“This one is a special one. This is the reason why football is magical. I made my plan wrong because I said we had to score three goals in 90 minutes and we did it in 45.
“If we play that way, we are a real, really good team.”
Eight times winners Lyon have confronted with Arsenal in the other semi -final, with the final in Lisbon on 24 May.
Cushing praises desires despite disappointment
Interim head coach of Manchester City, Nick Cushing:
“I am disappointed that we were not progressing, but very proud of the group.
“Very positive in dedication and desire, determination for a group that has had a lot of stress, training, games at a top team in the past two weeks. To continue, believe in the end, the character this group has.
“But it's hard for me to say where we are because there are many players missing. That is not an excuse, but the determination is there.
“We have given Chelsea problems during the four games. With so much stress on the group, to still be there, the character that this group has.”
'Chelsea wants domestic dominance to be indisputable'
Sky Sports' Anton Toloui:
If you come for the queen, you can't miss it better. That modified quote from the wire summarizes the four-game series between Chelsea and Man City.
City had the temerity to hit Chelsea in the intestine in the first stage before the Londoners swing in the second and left their opponents in the tranquility of the canvas.
Add to that, Chelsea also beat their rivals in the League Cup final and also WSL.
Speaking with the Chelsea players, they never want any doubt about who is the best team in the country. It bothers them that they could never have become the best team on the continent.
Both in it Cuthbert and Millie Bright admitted to Sky Sports after the last whistle that the team now has its next mission: revenge in Barcelona in the semi -final.
As far as man City is concerned, it is a shortage of the almost multi -year English champions, especially after a period of unrest, hardly a source of shame.
The Cushing era will be assessed by one thing – get his beloved club back in the top three of the WSL, so that they can enjoy the privilege of European football again next season.
City will also take comforting the fact that they miss six important players, including Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood. A huge domestic walk -in awaits, with a competition and cup double against Manchester United, who may define the success of their campaign.
And one last anecdote. Chelsea and Man City still have a chance to go against each other. Does anyone feel like a sixth part of this fascinating rivalry in the FA Cup final in Wembley in May?
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