Zecira Musovic exclusive: Chelsea star on her UWCL dream, world-class Lauren James and 'trying something new' after Emma Hayes exit

The Blues goalkeeper has won plenty of silverware since arriving in England – but European glory still eludes her

Anyone who follows Zecira Musovic on Instagram knows that the Chelsea goalkeeper loves to cook. Pinned to the Sweden international’s profile is a treasure trove of mouth-watering recipes titled ‘Chef Z’. Cashew butter, authentic Swedish waffles, bao buns – Musovic can do it all, sometimes even while wearing her Women’s Super League winners’ medal.

During the course of GOAL’s interview with the Blues' shot-stopper, she even had time to offer us some advice on how to cook the perfect Swedish meatball gravy, such is her passion for creating magic in the kitchen.

“I use it to unwind after training or games. Cooking and baking. I can randomly come into the training ground bringing cakes to everyone because I don’t have anyone to cook for at home at the moment so I say: ‘who should I bake for?’ But I love it,” she said.

“It’s a moment for myself to rest my brain. You just get in the zone, you’re following the process. And I would describe myself as a creative person. Cooking and baking is a creative process, so I really love that. Both because I love food and I love making the food. I don’t mind having friends over for dinner and cooking something nice for them.”

World Cup bronze medallist Musovic likely won’t be in need of cooking’s mentally restorative powers after Chelsea’s UEFA Women’s Champions League group game against Paris FC on Tuesday night. With the Blues already making sure of top spot with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge last week, there isn’t anything riding on the clash aside from professional pride.

But for Musovic and Chelsea, the UWCL is about to get properly going – and there is a lot riding on their performance in this season’s tournament.

Getty Images'Something we all want to tick off'

Since arriving in the capital back in 2021, Musovic has helped herself to every major honour available to her apart from the Champions League. And she confirmed that there was a feeling within the squad that that needs to change this season.

“That’s something we all want to tick off. We haven’t won the Champions League with Chelsea, so that’s something we really want to do. That’s a massive medal we want to have,” Musovic said, speaking to support UEFA’s Rivalhood content series, part of the Queens of Football campaign for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

“Individually, that’s one of my biggest goals, to win the Champions League. I really think we have the potential in the group. We’ve been building something really exciting for a few years now. Both the starting XI and the ones who are not starting the game are such talented players. I think we have all the right in the world to go for first place.”

AdvertisementGetty ImagesChampions League memories

Chelsea have come close before, of course, reaching the final in 2021. But the last hurdle proved insurmountable, with Lluis Cortes’ all-conquering Barcelona side romping to a 4-0 victory.

Musovic was on the bench that day and the fact the final was played in her native Sweden – albeit without fans presents in Gothenburg – was scant consolation for her disappointment.

The 27-year-old has made plenty of better memories in the competition over the years, though. She looks back particularly fondly on her time as a youngster with Rosengard, playing alongside legendary figures Marta, Anita Asante and Ali Riley.

“One standout game for me was when Rosengard played Wolfsburg [in 2015],” she recalls. “It was one of my first games in the Champions League. That was a big one. I got to show that I was a young, talented goalkeeper who wanted to be the best. But I’ve played quite a few games in the Champions League with Rosengard and Chelsea now. Some really good memories. It’s a tournament I always look forward to.”

Getty Images'I could definitely feel the heat from the flares!'

The unique atmosphere of European fixtures is also something Musovic appreciates. Attendances are skyrocketing across the continent, with the 11,000 Chelsea attracted at Stamford Bridge against Madrid representing their highest attendance for a Champions League group game by some margin.

Last season, just shy of 30,000 rocked up for a semi-final meeting with Barcelona, while even more watched Arsenal take on Wolfsburg in the other last-four tie at the Emirates. However, although most of the chatter around atmosphere focuses on attendances, Musovic knows that is not the only thing that makes Champions League nights memorable.

In last season’s group stages, a few hundred Vllaznia supporters packed in behind her goal at Kingsmeadow, lighting up the southwest London sky with flares and smoke bombs. At one point, pyrotechnics were even thrown on the pitch, just metres away from her.

“I could definitely feel the heat from the flares! I was standing on that side of the pitch as well! I just heard and saw the things coming flying in. That was one of the first times I actually felt like: ‘okay, this is definitely something more than just fans screaming’. Maybe that’s not allowed. But I think the atmosphere being created by different cultures and different fans is so cool," she beamed.

"The more we play around Europe, the more of the cultural differences we can see. That’s the cool part of football: you play against lots of different teams, different players, different fans. I think I have a picture of all those things, the smoke, different colours! It’s actually a cool picture.”

Getty Images'I got so emotional'

Chelsea won that game 8-0, with Sam Kerr netting four times and celebrating with her trademark backflip. It’s a beautiful sight watching the Australian in full flow, but depressingly it’s one that we will be deprived of for sometime. The legendary striker ruptured her ACL on a warm-weather training camp earlier this month – a blow that Musovic admits has rocked the Chelsea squad to its core.

“It was just so tough. I was the one standing closest to her. Straight away I knew it wasn’t good. I got so emotional. It’s always so tough when it happens to any player, but especially when it happens to someone in your team, and especially someone like Sam Kerr who we value so highly. Not only as a footballer, but she’s also a top, top person," she said.

"Adding to that, a world-class player who has a massive impact on us as a team. So losing her this season has sucked really. It came as a shock and it’s something that’s made us so sad. But we’re with her all of the way. We’ll be supporting her as a person and a player, and I’m sure she’ll come out of this stronger, even if it hurts at the moment.”