‘Nobody on the pitch knew’ – Bronze questions why Chelsea had goal ruled out in defeat to Arsenal | OneFootball

Lucy Bronze says she is not sure why her Chelsea side had a goal chalked off in their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League.

Veerle Buurman’s first-half goal was controversially ruled out when the Blues were 2-0 down.

Lauren James would pull one back for Sonia Bompastor’s side later in the second half, but Alessia Russo scored a third to ensure Arsenal take a two-goal advantage into their quarter-final second leg.

“I mean, I don’t know, I think nobody on the pitch knew, apart from the referee even,” Chelsea defender Bronze said on the goal being ruled out.

“Arsenal players were probably celebrating because I think they were a bit dumfounded by it as well. But that’s just football, decisions go against you and for you all the time and it’s frustrating.

“We’ve just carry on and got to play the game that was in front of us. It was early on and we still had enough time to change the game and turn it around but it’s hard when you’re scoring goals and they’re being disallowed, so we don’t know why.”

Stay up to date with all the latest women’s football news by joining our WhatsApp channel. 

Her boss Sonia Bompastor was also left angry with the decision, saying afterwards: “We need to really find solutions. When you are playing a quarter-final of the Champions League, you need to respect the women’s game.

“You need to respect the players. They work hard every week to put a good performance on the pitch. For sure, the first goal is a goal.

“I don’t see, with the VAR, how you can disallow that goal. That’s a shame to be honest. It is what it is and it’s nothing we can control.”

Bronze believes the scoreline was harsh on her side based on their performance, insisting the game should have finished closer, with Chelsea also hitting the post twice.

“Not much, to be fair. I think the difference was obviously our goals got disallowed,” she said.

“I thought we were probably the stronger team but I feel like they had momentum in parts of the game. I think they’re a really good team, like us.

“There were parts of the game where Arsenal were on top, playing good football. Then there were parts where Chelsea were on top, with good football. 

“So I think it was a fairly even game. I think that’s why, for us, it feels like the scoreline doesn’t really reflect that. I think Arsenal will be very happy with the scoreline, considering how the game was. 

“But yeah, that’s football. I think we know that it can easily go the other way in the second leg.

“We hit the post twice and they went just inside the post twice. So I think that’s the difference, the centimetres that are in football. 

“You know, two of their goals, I think Alessia’s and Chloe’s are bottom corner. Ours just hit the post. So it’s pretty similar shots, pretty similar attributes but ours hit the post.”

If you enjoy our articles, help us out by making Hayters.com one of your preferred sources on Google by clicking here. 

But Bronze says last year’s turnaround against Manchester City is proof that her side have what it takes to pull off a comeback.

“We did it last year in the quarter-final,” she said. “We lost 2-0 away to City, we went back to Stamford Bridge and scored three goals in 40 minutes and just completely killed the game in the first half.

“So we know we’re capable of it against English opposition. But it’s not always that easy, is it?”