Why patience was the key to Chelsea Champions League win, according to Catarina Macario | OneFootball

Real Madrid CF v Chelsea FC – UEFA Women’s Champions League 2024/25 Group Stage MD6

MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 17: Catarina Macario of Chelsea is challenged by Olga and Athenea of Real Madrid during the UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on December 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Player of the match Catarina Macario says patience was the key to Chelsea’s spectacular win over St Polten in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The USA international scored twice en route to a 6-0 win, with Wieke Kaptein, Sam Kerr (2) and an own goal contributing the other goals.

And she told the club’s official website after the game that the entire team had contributed to following the game plan set out by head coach Sonia Bompastor.

“I think it was a great team performance,” said Macario. “We executed the game plan well, I think we did a good job in staying patient, we created a lot of chances and thankfully we were able to capitalise on six of them!”

She added: “We knew that this was going to be a game in which we were going to have most of the possession, and we just had to be patient, and just work for each other. We knew we had to try and get some goals and create a little bit of a goal difference, it’s something that we definitely worked on in training, and so we’re very happy to have been able to score six.”

Catarina Macario: It’s special to play alongside the other USA internationals

Macario was one of a trio of Americans in the starting line-up, alongside Alyssa Thompson and the returning Naomi Girma, who started her first match of the season.

And she said that being able to play with her compatriots on such a big occasion was an additional bonus.

“It’s so special. We obviously know each other very well from playing with the national team, but being able to do it with Chelsea means a lot. It was Nay’s first game back so super happy for her. It’s amazing to be able to do it together, to be playing this level together, and representing Chelsea as well.”

Chelsea’s next Champions League game is at Stamford Bridge next week, when they take on the challenge of Barcelona, on Thursday, 20th November.

Before then, they have their next Barclays Women’s Super League match, which is a trip to Liverpool, on Sunday, 16th November.