Macario Shines as Chelsea Beats Real Madrid in Champions League
Chelsea capped off the group stage of the Women’s Champions League with a perfect record. They came back to win against Real Madrid, 2-1, in Spain. The star of the match was Catarina Macario, who made a big impact off the bench in the second half.
ICYMT: Macario’s Magic Lifts Chelsea to Top Spot.
Real Madrid Gets a Quick Lead
Real Madrid scored first. Caroline Weir nabbed a goal just seven minutes in. Chelsea’s goalie, Hannah Hampton, got a touch on Weir’s shot but accidentally pushed it into the net. Real Madrid kept pressing. Olga Carmona almost scored after some great play by Weir.
Injury and a Smart Change
Chelsea faced a tough moment when Guro Reiten had to leave the game due to an injury. Coach Sonia Bompastor made a bold move at halftime, bringing in Catarina Macario for Mayra Ramirez. This change changed the game.
Macario Makes the Difference
Macario almost scored right after the break, but her goal was called offside. Not giving up, she later drew a penalty after being fouled by Carmona. Macario took the penalty confidently and tied the game. She then scored another penalty, this time after a handball by Carmona, putting Chelsea ahead.
Chelsea Stays Strong Defensively
Real Madrid tried hard to equalize. Naomie Feller missed a big chance at the end. But Chelsea’s defense held strong. This win means Chelsea avoids facing another group winner in the quarterfinals, solidifying their position as a strong team in the tournament.
Man City’s Struggles Continue
Meanwhile, Manchester City is having a tough time. According to a former player, they’re dealing with mental issues. Once a top team under Pep Guardiola, they’re now in a slump that hasn’t been seen before in club history.
City has only won once in their last 11 matches. Eight of those ended in losses. The worst moment was in the Manchester derby when they lost after leading until the 87th minute.
Injuries and Pressure Mount
Injuries to key players like Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne have hurt the team. But it’s not just about injuries. There’s a bigger issue with the team’s mentality. Mark Schwarzer highlighted how the squad is struggling. Once they hit a setback, they seem to fall apart.
“They manage games well, but when things go wrong, they collapse. That’s why people think they’re fragile, Schwarzer said.
Guardiola’s frustration is plain to see, which might be affecting the players’ confidence.
Guardiola Faces the Heat
Guardiola has shown signs of stress, even saying he might not be good enough to fix the team’s issues. This is a big shift from the calm leader everyone knows. Schwarzer thinks this could be affecting the players’ morale.
“For the first time, Pep is under real pressure, and it shows,” he explained. “Players might start questioning his choices.”
Mistakes Piling Up
Doubt and fear are causing more errors. A team known for its composure is now making simple mistakes at crucial times, like during the second goal against Manchester United.
“When teams face this much pressure, even basic defending becomes an issue,” Schwarzer pointed out.
As Manchester City looks to turn things around, it will be a true test of their mental and tactical strength in the coming weeks.
