Chelsea's remarkable 31-match unbeaten streak came to an end in a 2-0 loss to Manchester City during the Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg. This defeat marked the first under manager Sonia Bompastor, who had led Chelsea to 28 games without a loss since taking charge. Vivianne Miedema's two second-half goals secured City's advantage, with Chelsea struggling to find their rhythm just days after their League Cup triumph over the same opponents. Defender Lucy Bronze admitted the team was "miles off" their usual standard, citing poor pressing and sloppy passing as key issues. The loss not only halted Chelsea's unbeaten run but also dashed their hopes of setting a new record for the longest undefeated streak by a Women's Super League (WSL) team across all competitions.
The match was part of a grueling four-game stretch between Chelsea and Manchester City within 12 days, including the League Cup final, WSL clash, and the Champions League return leg. Despite this setback, Bompastor remains focused on Chelsea's Champions League aspirations, with the team needing a strong response in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Bronze emphasized that the defeat was a learning moment, noting that every opponent now raises their game against Chelsea. With their quadruple hopes still alive, Chelsea will aim to recover quickly as they prepare for upcoming challenges both domestically and in Europe.
