'We know we'll have to suffer' - Emma Hayes on Chelsea playing at Barca
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Chelsea head to Barcelona and the Nou Camp knowing that only victory will do if they are to reach the final of the Women’s Champions League.
The Blues are aiming to become the first English team to win the competition since 2007 but must overturn Barcelona’s one-goal advantage, given to them by Caroline Graham Hansen’s stunning winner at Stamford Bridge. The odds are stacked against Chelsea, with Barcelona winning each of their last 18 home games in the Champions League, as well as all five at the Nou Camp.
But Chelsea will take confidence from restricting Barcelona in spells and doing enough to remain in the tie. Emma Hayes will look to take a bolder approach as the English champions attempt to gain revenge for their 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the 2021 Women’s Champions League final, with another bumper crowd expected at the Nou Camp.
Follow live updates from Barcelona vs Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League, below.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes on facing Barcelona: “Nobody denies they are a fabulous team with an amazing history, particularly here, We have to accept that we will suffer more against Barcelona than anyone else. But we showed in the previous game we can defend.
“We will have to do that at an even higher level and the execution from us with the football has to be better. It’s a football match. The game is 1-0. We have a fair and equal chance.
“This is a strength of our team. We are built to cope with the challenges. We like to suffer. We’re as prepared as we possibly can be. I have said it time and time again, we have a dressing room of players that want to be in this position. We will give it everything we have got.
“We’re looking forward to playing at this magnificent stadium. At 1-0 there is no doubt, with their history here, we have to be at our very best.”
Chelsea defender Magdalena Eriksson previewed tonight’s clash with Barcelona and claimed that her team needs to be ready for anything when they take on the Liga F champions.
“Barca have a trademark style of play.” she said, “They are very smart players, they take what you give them and that’s why you have to be on your toes in all areas and ready for anything they throw at us.
“We know their style, we know it’s possession based.
“We know they want to keep the ball, drag us out of areas and exploit those areas. For us, it’s about being disciplined, being smart and being ready for anything.”
Chelsea lined up with a back three in the first leg in a formation switch that saw Lauren James drop to the bench, but the Blues will need to be bolder as they look to overturn Barcelona’s lead. Emma Hayes is without centre-backs Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan, as well as England’s Fran Kirby, while Pernille Harder may again start on the bench as she works to regain full match fitness.
Barcelona could welcome back the two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. The Spain star has not played for Barcelona since last season’s Champions League final defeat to Lyon after suffering an ACL injury on the eve of last summer’s Euros, but returned to training ahead of the second leg. England star Lucy Bronze is out for two weeks, however, after hurting her knee in the first leg at Stamford Bridge and undergoing minor surgery.
The match will kick off at 5:45pm BST on Thursday 27 April at the Nou Camp, Barcelona.
How can I watch it?
Every game in this season’s Women’s Champions League knockout stages is being broadcast live on streaming platform DAZN, and also on DAZN’s YouTube channel. You can set reminders to receive a notification of when the stream goes live, which is 15 minutes before the start of each match
You can sign up to DAZN where the matches will also be streamed for free across their digital platforms. The YouTube stream will also be embedded on Uefa.com and on Uefa.tv for all Women’s Champions League games.
Hello, good afternoon, and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of this evening’s Women’s Champions League clash between Barcelona and Chelsea.
Emma Hayes’ side trail by one goal following the first leg at Stamford Bridge last Saturday. Caroline Graham Hansen stunned the Blues with a wonderful strike from the right side of the box to earn the visitors a slender lead in the tie.
Chelsea had their moments of dominance during the match however and they’ll harbour hopes of causing an upset against the Liga F champions.
It won’t be easy though. Barcelona have won 18 home games in row in the WCL and know that a drew or better will be enough to send them into the final.
We’ll have all the build-up, team news and updates from the Nou Camp as kick off approaches at 5.45pm
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