Chelsea 3-0 Celtic – “This experience is going to be great for us for the future,” Elena Sadiku

Players of Chelsea and Celtic line up in front of an empty stand prior to the UEFA Women’s Champions League match at Stamford Bridge on November 20, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

With the win, the hosts progress to the knockout stages of the competition, while the Scottish champions remain on zero points in Group B.

Chelsea took an early lead as Lucy Bronze volleyed home from the edge of the area with only a minute on the clock. Kelsey Daugherty managed to get a hand to the powerful strike but she couldn’t keep it out.

Caitlin Hayes of Celtic FC passes the ball during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Chelsea FC and Celtic FC at Stamford Bridge on November 20, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

And the English side kept coming, making two more dangerous runs before the 10-minute mark. With great goalkeeping and fantastic defending though, they were kept to only a one-goal advantage for a while, but that would change on the 25-minute mark.

Wieke Kaptein was found in the box by a Chelsea corner and she headed in to make it two.

Celtic tried to hit back, with Amy Gallacher getting heavily involved in the play. She tried to play through Murphy Agnew, who scored against Chelsea at Celtic Park, but the forward was being kept at bay.

Mayra Ramirez of Chelsea reacts after picking up an injury during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Chelsea FC and Celtic FC at Stamford Bridge on November 20, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

As the game was approaching the break though, Agnew managed to break into the opposition box. Played in by Jenny Smith, the American made it to the touchline but had no shooting opportunity. She was forced to attempt a cross to Lucy Ashworth-Clifford but it was cut out by a defender.

Going into the second half two goals down wasn’t ideal, but things were starting to look a bit more promising.

Right off the bat, Emma Lawton made an incredible run into the opposition’s half and although she almost managed to get a brilliant through ball off, it was cut out by the home defence.

Lola Brown of Chelsea battles for possession with Emma Louise Lawton of Celtic during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Chelsea FC and Celtic FC at Stamford Bridge on November 20, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Shortly after, Ashworth-Clifford threaded a good ball to Gallacher. The forward made a darting run and tried to get it across the area to Agnew. The ball was, again, not able to reach its intended target and the attack ended.

With 10 minutes to go, Celtic were still pushing to pull at least one back. Mathilde Carstens linked up with her sister, Signe Carstens, who then played Celya Barclais through. She gets on the end of Signe’s pass but she couldn’t find an attacker as the hosts got back in time to recover.

Amy Gallacher of Celtic controls the ball whilst under pressure from Oriane Jean-Francois of Chelsea during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Chelsea FC and Celtic FC at Stamford Bridge on November 20, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

A few minutes later, the Celts were on the attack again, this time as the ball was crossed into the box, with two attackers in promising positions. It didn’t fall to Morgan Cross who was lurking at the back post, but Saoirse Noonan made contact with it. She couldn’t direct it goalward despite her best efforts.

In the dying embers, Chelsea looked to make it more comfortable for themselves. And three into the four minutes of added time, they had the chance to do just that, as the referee blew her whistle for a Shannon McGregor handball in the box. Eve Perisset stepped up to the spot and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, making it three in the final minute of the game.

Not the best night for the Celts, but again, a good defensive performance and promising attacking signs against one of the best teams in Europe.

Celya Barclais of Celtic FC passes the ball during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Chelsea FC and Celtic FC at Stamford Bridge on November 20, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Speaking to the media after the game, Elena Sadiku said: “We’re learning and growing. We look better in many parts of the game, especially in possession. I think we’re growing in confidence and trying to play the style of play that we play at home as well.

“Defensively, we looked very compact. We were very good at protecting our own goal. But there are many things that I think we can improve. Today, I’m very frustrated that we conceded three goals from set plays. With these top-quality players, I can say, okay, I can’t do anything about a top corner finish from the build-up or breaking through our press, so that’s something that I think the players also feel a bit frustrated about.

“Conceding an early goal and trying to keep going [impressed me]. Second half, we came out and we were more aggressive in the pressure. We leaned forward more and created some half-chances again. I don’t think we created any clear chances but half-chances that we should maybe do more with. But I do like the second half of how we were trying more. I think we defended well in the first half but not much more than that.

“[That we can compete with a team like Chelsea] shows the quality of players that I have. We have players that do it really well. The players are learning that, as a team, together, we can compete with Chelsea and Real Madrid and that’s something we should keep going with no matter what competition we play in. That’s something that I’m really proud of is them understanding how important that togetherness is. Hopefully, they have more confidence as well after playing a top team like Chelsea tonight.

“I’ve said it from the start, this experience is going to be great for us for the future.”

Here are the match highlights for last night’s UEFA Champions League match that finished Chelsea 3-0 Celtic.

Here’s Elena’s post match media conference…

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