Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes has emphasized the need for her team to be “perfect” in order to progress from their Women’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Despite winning the first leg 1-0 in Spain, Hayes recognizes the quality of Barcelona, who are four-time finalists in the last five seasons. She acknowledges that Barcelona can hurt teams in various ways and urges her players to remain focused throughout the match.
Hayes’ sentiments are echoed by Chelsea captain Millie Bright, who describes this game as “probably the biggest game of our careers.” Barcelona boasts players like Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, who have both won the Ballon d’Or in recent years. The Spanish side has a history of success against Chelsea, defeating them in the 2021 final and narrowly eliminating them in last season’s semi-finals.
When asked about managing emotions after a successful first-leg victory, Hayes emphasizes her dedication to her football family, stating that being with them in the trenches is a privilege and an honor. She remains focused on the task at hand and looks forward to watching her team play.
Chelsea will receive a boost with the potential return of defender Nathalie Bjorn and midfielder Maren Mjelde from injury. Bright, who recently recovered from a knee injury, is also fully fit and available for selection. Barcelona, on the other hand, had a full squad in training, including England’s Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze.
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati admits that this situation is unfamiliar territory for her side, as they aim to bounce back from defeat for the first time this season. She recalls their comeback against Wolfsburg in last year’s final and hopes they can draw inspiration from that experience. Barcelona boss Jonatan Giraldez emphasizes the need for mental strength to overcome the first-leg deficit and believes that both the psychological and footballing aspects will be crucial in the upcoming match.
In conclusion, Chelsea faces a daunting task against a formidable Barcelona side. The key to success will be maintaining focus and being perfect in their execution. Barcelona, on the other hand, will look to draw on their experience and mental strength to overturn the deficit. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two top teams in women’s football.