Chelsea Manager Slams 'Not Good Enough' Tech Fault

Chelsea's Women's Champions League clash against Barcelona was significantly disrupted by a nine-minute first-half stoppage. Manager Sonia Bompastor criticized the incident, describing the technical fault that caused a loss of all video feeds, including for VAR, as "not good enough" at this level of competition. The unexpected break halted Chelsea's momentum, leaving the manager deeply dissatisfied with the disruption, which she noted was unprecedented in her experience.

The extensive delay stemmed from a failure in the generators powering the match's technology. Bompastor later voiced concerns about the functionality of the VAR system in the second half, particularly after Catarina Macario had a late goal disallowed. She suggested that the VAR might have been inactive due to the earlier technical issues, impacting the ability to review crucial decisions. This raised further questions about the technological reliability during the game.

Adding to the team's dynamics, captain Millie Bright was notably dropped from the starting lineup, with Nathalie Björn and Naomi Girma selected at center-back. Bompastor acknowledged Bright's frustration but emphasized her professional response and commitment to supporting the team. Despite the disappointment, Bright reportedly focused on team support and leadership from the sidelines.