Bompastor unsurprised by stern test Chelsea faced against Austria Vienna

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SONIA BOMPASTOR said “nothing is easy” after her Chelsea side were given a stern test by Women’s Champions League debutantes Austria Vienna at Plough Lane.

The home side were narrow 1-0 winners but the first match of their European campaign was a far from straightforward affair.

An excellent early goal from Wieke Kaptein which flew in off the crossbar settled it but Chelsea’s nerves were left frayed by the Austrian side, who found goalkeeper Livia Peng in good form and even hit the post late on through the impressive Modesta Uka.

“Not surprised,” said Bompastor about the strength of the opposition. “I’ve observed their games, their physicality was really showcased in the two games against Brann (in the qualifying rounds). Tonight I put a really spirited team to start the game. We were expecting a tough game.

“The performance was not the one we wanted to have. We could have controlled the game a little bit better in terms of scoring the second goal, killing the opposition hope. But sometimes you have to take what is the most important, which tonight was to win.”

It was the second time in the opening round of fixtures that an English team had struggled against an unfancied underdog, after Arsenal needed a stoppage-time penalty to defeat Danish side Koge on Tuesday.

“The physicality from those teams is good,” said Bompastor. “The players are able to match the intensity of the Champions Leagues games from the beginning until the end.

“The coaches who are coaching are good, in terms the tactical aspects. They are well prepared and they have a good game plan. Nothing is easy.”

Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Sunday in an early test of their Women’s Super League credentials.

They may do so without midfielder Kiera Walsh who was forced off injured in the first half, with Bompastor unsure whether the England international will be available.

“We were trying to be cautious with her,” she said. “She felt a little bit of her quad. We’ll assess her tomorrow and see if she’s available for Sunday. It’s too soon now.

“I think [the team] have enough time to recover for the game at the weekend, I’m not worried about that. We’ll be coming with fresh legs and the game will be so different. We’ll be ready.”

Vienna boss Stefan Kenesei reflected on an historic evening for the Austrian champions.

“We’re proud,” he said. “We were brave, as we’d planned. But I’m disappointed we didn’t get at least one point. We performed at almost the same level as Chelsea.”