Chelsea Head Coach Sonia Bompastor Emphasizes Mindset as Key to Pressuring WSL Leaders Manchester City
The Blues currently sit six points behind Manchester City and must hope for mistakes from the league leaders to retain their title for another season.
In a media briefing ahead of today’s Barclays Women’s Super League match against Arsenal, Chelsea manager Bompastor highlighted the necessity for the right mindset to keep the pressure on Manchester City.
“We don’t relish the chase after [Manchester] City; we would rather be at the top of the table like we were last season, but that’s the current reality,” Bompastor stated. “We accept this situation, understanding that every match is crucial, and we need to secure three points.”
“Our mentality is focused on what we need to achieve to have any chance of winning the title. We’re taking it one game at a time and are committed to giving our all.”
Chelsea is set to face Manchester City next weekend, but Bompastor insists that the immediate focus remains on consistent performance to maintain pressure on their rivals.
“Right now, we must ensure we apply pressure on [Manchester] City by winning our matches, while hoping they drop points. They are performing well, but first and foremost, we need to concentrate on our own performance to give ourselves the best chance of winning every game; that’s within our control,” she explained.
“The emphasis is on us, ensuring we approach each match with a positive mindset and a strong desire to claim three points.”
Chelsea shares a fierce rivalry with Arsenal, and Bompastor expressed great respect for the achievements of The Gunners.
“The competition between our clubs is exciting and adds something special to women’s football. Even amidst the on-pitch rivalry, it’s essential to show respect. Arsenal is a strong team and has significantly contributed to women’s football, and I will always hold that respect as a manager,” she remarked.
“As we head into the game, our goal is to challenge them fiercely on the field. While it’s easy to get caught up in emotions as a manager, I believe in maintaining respect for our opponents.”
The Barclays Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea and Arsenal kicks off at 12:30 PM. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.