Chelsea must not ovethink Champions League clash with St. Polten, says Bompastor

Sonia Bompastor urged her Chelsea team not to overthink their Champions League clash with St. Polten as they aim to bounce back from their 1-1 draw with Arsenal. 

The Women's Super League champions dropped points for just the second time this season on Saturday as Alessia Russo's late strike cancelled out Alyssa Thompson's opener. 

But the Blues' attention now switches to Europe, with a trip to NV ARENA to face Austrian side St. Polten next up for Chelsea on Tuesday. 

After a disappointing opening-match draw away to Twente, Chelsea picked up their first win of the campaign by downing Paris FC 4-0, with Thompson again starring. 

Chelsea are just outside the top four places that automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, but are given an 85% chance of getting their second win on the board against St. Polten.

And while going unbeaten in their 10 matches across all competitions, Bompastor wants her players to be more clinical in the final third, having scored just 19 goals so far. 

"We're a team that creates a lot of opportunities, we can move the ball high up the pitch so then it's down to finish them," Bompastor told reporters on Monday. 

"The players should be confident. They just need to avoid overthinking."

But at the other end of the pitch, Bompastor confirmed that goalkeeper Hannah Hampton had not travelled with the squad after sustaining an injury against Arsenal.

Hampton's withdrawal comes after a difficult week off the field when she was criticised by former England goalkeeper Mary Earps for her conduct with the Lionesses.

Bompastor denied that it might be a good time for Hampton to step out of the limelight, insisting she was eager to help her side maintain their fine start to the season. 

"Hannah is fine. It was tough for her, sure – I'm not going to deny that – but I think being around the team, playing games, is probably what she wants the most," she said. 

"Right now, probably not having to travel with the team will be a small break for her, but she will be more disappointed about staying at home and not being with the squad."

Hampton's absence from this midweek trip opens the door for Switzerland international Livia Peng to start in between the sticks. 

The summer signing also featured against Twente earlier in their Champions League campaign and Bompastor says she is happy to give the 23-year-old a chance to impress.

"The way she is performing, and she hasn't had a lot of minutes, but she played well in the first game against Twente, and she is performing well in every training session.

"It is a positive for her to play in the game tomorrow, and we are confident in her. She has a lot of quality, and she will be playing. That is what we're focused on."

But one positive for Bompastor is the potential return of Lauren James, who has yet to feature for the Blues this season through injury. 

James has been sidelined since the Euro 2025 final with an ankle issue and could play a role from the bench. 

"LJ is getting closer and closer," Bompastor explained at her pre-match press conference. "She travelled with us and is in the squad for the match."