Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert Anticipates Challenging Clash Against Ajax
Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert is looking forward to the challenging match against Ajax in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals. She believes that it would mean everything if Chelsea could reach the final in Emma Hayes’ last season as the team’s manager. The Blues will be facing Ajax, who are currently second in the Netherlands’ top tier, just four days after their victory over Arsenal in the WSL. This will be Ajax’s first time in the last eight phase of the Women’s Champions League.
Ajax secured their spot in the quarter-finals by finishing second in Group C, ahead of Bayern Munich and Roma. The anticipation for the match is high, with a record crowd expected at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. So far, 34,200 tickets have been sold for the game.
Cuthbert acknowledges that Ajax will be fearless opponents, as they have nothing to lose in their first appearance at this stage of the competition. She believes that Chelsea can use their experience of performing in front of big crowds in Europe as an advantage. However, she warns her team to be wary of Ajax’s fearlessness and emphasizes the importance of bringing a positive result back to Stamford Bridge.
The quick turnaround between matches has posed a challenge for Chelsea in terms of preparation, but manager Emma Hayes believes that the players’ experiences in the tournament will help them overcome any obstacles. Playing in front of a crowd of 35,000 at a tight arena can be intimidating, but Hayes urges her players to draw on their previous experiences to come out strong in this tie.
If Chelsea manages to defeat Ajax in the quarter-finals, they will face either SK Brann or two-time champions Barcelona in the semi-finals. Last year, Chelsea reached the semi-finals but suffered a narrow 2-1 aggregate loss to Barcelona. The Catalan giants also emerged victorious when both clubs reached the final for the first time in 2021. Winning the Women’s Champions League is the only major trophy that has eluded Emma Hayes and her team so far.
Cuthbert expresses her desire to reach the final and win the tournament, especially for their departing manager. She understands that it will be a tough journey, with two challenging matches against a strong team like Ajax. However, she believes in the process and is hopeful that Chelsea can fulfill their dreams of lifting the trophy with Hayes before she takes on a new role as the boss of the USA Women’s team later this year.
With the quarter-finals just around the corner, Chelsea is determined to give their all and make their mark in the Women’s Champions League. The upcoming matches will test their skills and determination, but the team is ready to face the challenge head-on. The road to the final won’t be easy, but with the guidance of Emma Hayes and the talent of their players, Chelsea has a chance to achieve greatness in this prestigious competition.