date:April 20th (Sat) venue: Estadi Olympique Lluis Companies kick off: 12:30 GMT coverage: Listen to the full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and follow us online for updates |
Emma Hayes says she is “not thinking about fairy tales” as Chelsea prepare to face Barcelona in the Women's Champions League semi-final.
Hayes will leave Chelsea at the end of the season to take charge of the U.S. women's national team, but has yet to win a competition with Chelsea.
Barcelona, who host Chelsea on Saturday, defeated the Blues in the 2021 final and last season's semi-final.
“They're world class with unbelievable players,” Hayes said.
“But I’m not thinking about fairy tales. [Barcelona] In recent years, they have been active as one of Europe's top teams. They deserve all the accolades they've achieved, but it's a football game. It has two legs. Our job was all about putting ourselves in a position to get here in the competition. ”
Hayes says it was inevitable that Chelsea would have to play Barcelona at some point in the competition
“I'm happy that it's our turn in the semifinals. Both the team and the opponent understand,'' he added.
Chelsea have been boosted by captain Millie Bright, who has been sidelined since November, and England forward Lauren James, who missed Wednesday's 3-0 WSL win over Aston Villa.
Hayes said Barcelona had achieved “amazing things” but hoped other English teams could challenge more regularly in Europe soon.
“Listen, the Barcelona team will go down in history as one of the best women's teams of all time,” Hayes said. “Barcelona are a generation that deserves praise. They have achieved great things on the pitch. People don't realize how difficult it is to play against them.”
'Hayes' legacy will not be defined by the Champions League'
Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert, who started both games in last year's semi-final defeat to Barcelona, ”can't wait” to test himself again against Europe's giants.
Around 37,000 supporters are expected to gather at the Estadi Olympique Lluis Companies.
“Every game over the last few months has felt like a cup final. We have to win every game,” Cuthbert said.
“I love this time of the season, living under the pressure to perform. It brings out a different side of me, a different animal. And I get to play with the best players in the world and give them I'm really excited to show you what I can do. ”
Hayes' final season has not gone to plan so far, with Chelsea already eliminated from the Women's FA Cup after losing to Arsenal in the Continental Cup final earlier this year.
However, they are level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Women's Super League, and Cuthbert said Hayes' achievements “will not be reflected in the Champions League trophy”.
“Nothing forces my commitment to win any title. If you're a Chelsea player, there's a commitment to win every title involved,” Cuthbert added.
”[Emma] She has made an incredible contribution to the women's game. She has single-handedly made her mark all over the world. We don't owe Emma anything. We all want to win and if you don't want to win you shouldn't be at a club like Chelsea.”
'I'm ready' for Chelsea's response
Chelsea's hopes of winning a quadruple title are gone, but Barcelona are still on track to win four trophies.
Barça have already won the Spanish Super Cup, qualified for the Copa de la Reina final and hold a 12-point lead in Liga F.
Manager Jonathan Giraldes, who will leave the Catalan club at the end of this season to take charge of the NWSL's Washington Spirit, will face a Chelsea side hoping to shake off their recent domestic cup disappointments as they aim for European glory. I'm looking forward to it.
“That's because we lost two important titles,” he said.
“No doubt they will try to turn things around with this. We are ready.”