Updated 00.50 | Published 2024-01-24 22.55
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LONDON. Chelsea are already ready for the quarter-finals of the Champions League after victory against Real Madrid.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd promises that they will give everything in the last round to help the group’s Swedish team.
– It is clear that I have an extra small heart for Häcken, she tells Sportbladet.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd started for Chelsea in front of the 11,262 spectators at Stamford Bridge. The winger was most involved during the beginning of the first half.
Real Madrid, then pushed back, managed to hold tight and thus ate into the match. At halftime it was 0–0, with the final score reading 7–3 in Chelsea’s favour.
With the home side struggling with efficiency, it was grateful that left-back Niamh Charles conceded a penalty shortly after the break. Guro Reiten managed it rock-solidly from the penalty spot to make it 1-0.
– We think we improve in the second half. But it’s still not the Chelsea we’re used to seeing. However, reinforce that we can win matches like this, even if we don’t play our best, says Rytting Kaneryd.
The final result 2–1 means that Chelsea are through to the quarter-finals of the tournament. The London club is on eleven points with a game to play, three points ahead of Häcken, who face Real Madrid in the last round.
Whether it is an advantage for third-placed Paris FC (on seven points) to face an already qualified team remains to be seen.
– We want to win every football match and we will not relax. There is already full focus on the match. We will do everything to win, says Rytting Kaneryd.
The hedge needn’t worry?
– They don’t need to worry.
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fullscreen Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
“Can’t make that kind of mistake”
The victory came from a mistake by Real Madrid’s goalkeeper. What Mylène Chavas was doing when Erin Cuthbert pulled up is unclear – but there was no higher level of intervention.
– The goalkeeper is on his heels. Cuthbert’s shot hits her and then falls into the net. You can’t make that kind of mistake in the Champions League, says former Chelsea player Gilly Flaherty in the BBC.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd points out that Chava’s performance overall was more than acceptable.
– I think she plays a good match and is responsible for many good saves as well. We get good pressure then. But it’s never fun to concede such goals, says Rytting Kaneryd.
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fullscreen Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
During the season, Rytting Kaneryd, who arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2022, has been given great confidence by coach Emma Hayes.
– I really feel that I am in better shape than ever, admits Rytting Kaneryd.
Why do you think it has come off for you now? Does it mainly have to do with needing to acclimatise?
– Partly that, then there is self-confidence. It obviously took a long time to get into this environment. It is a completely different environment than what I was used to in Sweden.
– At the same time, when things go well, you gain better self-confidence and then you dare to do your things on the pitch. After the World Cup, my role has actually been very clear, just as it is in the national team. I think that has helped me to really know what to do on the field.