Chelsea Women’s manager Sonia Bompastor is calling for a strong response from her squad following a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final. With their sights now set on the Women’s Super League title race, Bompastor remains confident in her team’s ability to rebound in their upcoming fixture against Crystal Palace.

“It was a difficult day,” Bompastor admitted when reflecting on the heavy Champions League loss in Spain. “But from this morning, I told my players that the future is what we can control. We need to focus on showing a real reaction in our next league game.”

That next test comes quickly, as Chelsea Women prepare to face Crystal Palace on Thursday in a crucial WSL match. The Blues currently top the Women’s Super League table, holding a three-point lead over second-place Arsenal. The last time Chelsea faced Crystal Palace, they secured a dominant 7-0 win at Selhurst Park, and fans will be hoping for a repeat performance to strengthen their grip on the WSL title.

Despite the quick turnaround between games — with the second leg of the Champions League semi-final looming on Sunday — Bompastor believes Chelsea have the squad depth to remain competitive across all fronts.

“It’s crucial to react with a competitive mindset,” said Bompastor. “We have the depth in our squad to handle every competition. We’ll approach each game step by step and continue striving to achieve everything we set out for this season.”

As Chelsea Women navigate a challenging schedule, their upcoming matches, especially against Crystal Palace and Barcelona, will be pivotal in determining both their domestic and European success.