The group stage of the Women’s Champions League started on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Chelsea were held to a 2-2 away draw by Real Madrid, when the winning goal in extra time was ruled out for offside.
The group stage of the Women’s Champions League started on Tuesday with 16 teams. On Wednesday, Chelsea, who were chasing their first Champions League victory, got into real action, and were disappointed right away in their opening game.
The London giants were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Madrid after some uncertain phases. The Chelsea pilot who will start as the head coach of the USA in the summer Emma Hayes stated after the match that he was in shock.
– I don’t remember, because last time two such huge decisions were ruled against us. We scored a goal that should have been allowed. This is shameful. I think we were robbed of a 3-1 win, Hayes thundered.
Chelsea still led the match for a good ten minutes before the end of regular time. Jessie Fleming your tackle Athenea del Castillo clearly outside the box, but this fell inside the box. Danish judge Frida Klarlund took the ball to 11 meters.
– I’m really shocked that the judges didn’t see the situation, Hayes teased.
Olga Carmona succeeded in scoring from a spot, hitting his second hit of the evening.
Chelsea got the ball into the net once in added time, but the shot was disallowed for offside. Scored a goal Niamh Charles took off running clearly behind the line, and couldn’t grasp the verdict.
– That was a rough decision. Charles was ridiculously far offside. Chelsea should have got three points and a win, BBC expert, former English player Gilly Flaherty commented immediately after the situation.
There is no video referee system in use in the group stage of the Women’s Champions League. UEFA Women’s Champions League the rules regarding that “in principle, VAR can be introduced in the playoff phase. Uefa can decide to use video refereeing also in other matches or not to use VAR in certain matches”.
Sports expert Essi Sainio said that he watched the match with a sad heart.
– Notice that he is a little frustrated with the situation. Even referees are only people on the field and cannot see everything, but VAR would be necessary. The level and speed of the game increases, which challenges the judges a lot. I think the only right way is to bring the women’s side already in the group stage, commented Sainio.
– Situations happen in matches that affect the future of clubs and teams. For example, in the Champions League, it’s a pretty big price to pay.
On the women’s side, VAR was used, for example, in the summer World Cup, but it has not yet been used much in club team competitions. Hayes has demanded a video refereeing system for the English Super League as well.
Sainio also hopes that in the future, video refereeing would be used more widely on the women’s side.
Finns in action
A record number of Finns will be seen in the group stage of the Champions League this year. On Wednesday, representing BK Häcken Katariina Kosola played the full 90 minutes as the team from Gothenburg claimed a 2–1 victory over Paris FC. Tinja-Riikka Korpela was in the lead when AS Roma drew 2-2 away from Bayern Munich.
Tuesday Ria Öling’s Rosengård lost 1-2 to FFC Frankfurt on their home field as the Helmarit gambler toiled full minutes as usual. Joanna Tynnilä also played 90 minutes when Brann claimed a 2–1 victory over St. Pölten.