Chelsea Starting Lineup
Hannah Hampton (GK), Veerle Buurman, Erin Cuthbert (C), Lauren James, Sandy Baltimore, Alyssa Thompson, Weike Kaptein, Lucy Bronze, Kadiesha Buchanan, Lexi Potter, Aggie Beever-Jones
Chelsea Subs Used
Sjoeke Nusken, Ellie Carpenter, Keira Walsh, Melvine Malard, Giulia Dragoni
Roma Starting Lineup
Rachel Baldi (GK), Winonah Heatley, Maya Antoine, Maya Doms, Kayleigh Van Dooren, Elishabetta Oliviero, Giada Pellegrino Cimo, Martina Piemonte, Shukurat Oladipo, Giada Greggi (C), Valentina Bergamaschi
Roma Subs Used
Frederikke Thøgersen, Manuela Giugliano, Alayah Pilgrim, Sofia Jahnukainen, Alice Corelli
Chelsea dominated the first half, claiming a lot of possessions from the first whistle. Roma set up with five at the back compared to Chelsea’s three, knowing they were in for a defensive match.
Hannah Hampton played a key part in a lot of opportunities, playing direct balls through to players high up the pitch, allowing them to exploit the space that Roma’s high press gave them.
With chances from Aggie Beever-Jones, Alyssa Thompson, Lauren James, Sandy Baltimore, and Wieke Kaptein, Chelsea were taking a lot of shots, but it didn’t look like they were going to score.
With two minutes of added time, neither team was able to get an opener before the half.
At half-time, Chelsea made two substitutions, seeing Lauren James and Alyssa Thompson come off for Sjoeke Nusken and Ellie Carpenter. While Roma made one, with Frederikke Thøgersen coming on for Giada Pellegrino Cimo.
Early into the second half, Roma held a lot more possession. They played with a lot more confidence and were playing more in the Chelsea half.
That soon changed after Ellie Carpenter worked the ball down the right wing. She dodged a slide tackle from Shukurat Oladipo and took a one-two with Wieke Kaptein. She received the ball within the ten-yard box, slotting it between a diving Baldi and the post. Just after the break, it was Chelsea 1-0 Roma.
More Chelsea substitutions saw Keira Walsh and Melvine Malard coming on for Erin Cuthbert and Aggie Beever-Jones. Soon after, Roma made their first substitutions of the game, with Giada Greggi and Kayleigh Van Dooren coming off for Manuela Giugliano and Alayah Pilgrim.
Ellie Carpenter drives the ball towards the box, laying the ball off for Keira Walsh. She collects the ball just outside the box, looking to make the pass back to Ellie Carpenter before the ball is intercepted by Maya Antoine.
Roma made another substitution, with Sofia Jahnukainen coming on for Elishabetta Oliviero.
Lucy Bronze plays the ball down the wing; Shukurat Damilola Oladipo is able to get in front of Malard but allows the ball to bounce past her. Mallard is then able to pick up the ball and lay it off to Sjoeke Nusken. She was left one-on-one with the keeper, taking it the first time, but it went flying over the bar
A chance for Roma saw Maya Antoine drive the ball down the right and cross it over to Alayah Pilgrim, just inside of the box. With Lucy Bronze in front of her, she takes it forward but strikes it over the bar.
With not long to go, Roma make their final substitutions of the game with Winonah Heatley coming off for Alice Corelli.
Lexi Potter received a knock and went down. She received some treatment before coming off for Giulia Dragoni, making her UWCL debut for Chelsea against her old team.
Wieke Kaptein takes a short corner for the Blues, playing a one-two with Sandy Baltimore, and crossing into the box. Rachel Baldi comes out to clear the ball, but Kadiesha Buchanan already had a head to it, sending it into the back of the net. Chelsea 2 – 0 Roma
With four minutes of added time announced, both teams strike for a goal. We saw a foul on Lucy Bronze, but the referee played advantage. She laid it off to Sjoeke Nuskens, who drove it up the pitch and crossed it over to Melvine Malard. She took a touch and shot, just skimming over the bar.
With the last shot of the game, the whistle was blown. It’s Chelsea 2 – 0 Roma.