<\/p>\n
Catarina Macario described scoring on her Chelsea debut after 20 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury as \u201ca dream come true\u201d.<\/p>\n
The USA international put nearly two years of hell behind her as she netted the fourth goal in the Blues\u2019 comfortable 4-0 win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium.<\/p>\n
And the summer signing from Lyon admitted she was nervous before being introduced as a substitute.<\/p>\n
She told Sky Sports: \u201cFinally I\u2019m able to be back on the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt honestly felt like a dream come true, not just to get over the injury but to represent Chelsea for the first time and score a goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was definitely a bit nervous. The girls next to me on the bench could tell and they just told me to have fun. When you\u2019ve been out for so long you\u2019re kind of happy to be back on the pitch regardless.<\/p>\n
\nA first Chelsea goal for @CatarinaMacario<\/a>! \ud83d\udc4f#CFCW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/si6oPRbN4G<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) March 3, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cThere were a few touches that weren\u2019t the best but I\u2019m happy to be back out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Macario will soon work under Emma Hayes in a different guise, with the Chelsea boss departing the Women\u2019s Super League side to take over as head coach of the US women\u2019s national team this summer.<\/p>\n
And she believes Hayes\u2019 encouragement during her rehabilitation has set the tone for a successful relationship moving forward.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old said: \u201cShe [Hayes] told me how lucky Chelsea are and also the United States are to have me back.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully I can make a good impact for both teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmma has been tremendous. She\u2019s been so supportive this whole time, not pressuring me to come back or anything. I couldn\u2019t have asked for a better manager or coaching staff in general.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super lucky to have my team-mates too. Chelsea have supported me a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Macario and Co take on title rivals Manchester City in the Conti Cup semi-final on Thursday and face Everton in the WSL next weekend.<\/p>\n
\nChelsea move back top on goal difference after their win this evening \ud83d\udcaa#BarclaysWSL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wq9ulNQ3EP<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Barclays Women\u2019s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 3, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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