Thursday’s briefing: Chelsea clinch first win of Women’s Champions League season

Chelsea secured their first win in the Women’s Champions League with Alyssa Thompson opening her account for the club, while Renee Slegers is hoping Arsenal also enjoy a successful night in Europe.

Jude Bellingham has been told he is still an important member of England’s squad and Enzo Maresca must serve a one-game touchline ban.

<h2>Thompson off the mark for Chelsea</h2>

Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor promised there was more to come from record-signing Alyssa Thompson after she scored her first goal for the club in their 4-0 win against Paris FC at Stamford Bridge.

The 20-year-old knocked in the Blues’ third goal to effectively kill the game off and earn a first victory at the second attempt in this season’s Women’s Champions League.

“Alyssa brings a lot of speed up front, she’s a player who is really comfortable on the ball,” said Bompastor.

“She takes risks, attacks defenders one v one. It’s really difficult to defend against her. We haven’t seen yet the best of her, but hopefully we’ll see that soon.”

<h2>Slegers demands Arsenal meet fire with fire</h2>

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers wants her side to match Benfica’s intensity when the holders look to get the defence of their Women’s Champions League title on track in Portugal on Thursday night.

The Gunners slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Lyon at Meadow Park in their opening fixture of the new-look league phase, which followed a 3-2 loss at Manchester City in the Women’s Super League.

They then ended a four-match winless run with a 1-0 WSL victory over Brighton.

“Benfica have a psychological presence and believe in what they are doing, so we expect a lot of intensity in the game, which we want to match and always want to bring as well,” she said.

<h2>Bellingham in Tuchel’s plans</h2>

Thomas Tuchel insists Jude Bellingham is still an important member of the England squad despite being absent as they qualified for the World Cup.

Bellingham was a notable omission from Tuchel’s group as they beat Wales in a friendly and then confirmed their place at next summer’s tournament in North America with a 5-0 thumping of Latvia.

The Real Madrid star had been making his way back from shoulder surgery and had yet to complete 90 minutes when Tuchel named his squad, but his absence was still a big talking point.

The German intends to speak to Bellingham in between now and the November games against Serbia and Albania, with a view to him possibly being recalled.

He said: “I guess so. Why not? Of course, he’s an important player, he’s a big player.”

<h2>Maresca to serve touchline ban</h2>

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has been given a one-match touchline ban after his sending-off against Liverpool on October 4.

The Football Association said Maresca had admitted a misconduct charge, having been dismissed in the sixth minute of stoppage time in the match after wildly celebrating his side’s winner. He has also been fined £8,000.

The Italian will now be banned from the touchline for Chelsea’s match away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.

<h2>What’s on today</h2>

Arsenal travel to Benfica and Manchester United visit Atletico Madrid in two Women’s Champions League matches.