26 April 2023 , 18:33
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Emma Hayes believes her Chelsea team will have to "suffer" if they want to reach a second UEFA Women's Champions League final.
Chelsea face Barcelona in their semi-final second leg at Camp Nou on Thursday evening, trailing 1-0 on aggregate after Caroline Graham Hansen's superb strike at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have only been to the final once before, losing to the Catalan giants 4-0 two years ago in Gothenburg.
Barcelona are favourites with bookmakers to lift the trophy again this year and have only twice in continental competition in the last three seasons, including the final against Lyon 12 months ago. But Hayes said as long as her team were prepared to work hard defensively, they could get a memorable result in Catalonia.
"Of course, an early goal would help us," said Hayes in her pre-match press conference. "But we understand most teams that come here are going to be put in difficult situations.
"For us as a team, it is important to be calm. Whether it is moments we don't have the ball or things don't go very well, we have to be calm. I'm an experienced coach and I mean this genuinely, they are a world-class team - so you have to stay in the game.
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"We know we have to suffer - you have to suffer against Barcelona more than anyone else. We've seen Roma, Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg easily (beaten) if you don't manage the game in the right moment.
"So for us, we have to focus on getting the performance right, that is what we have to nail. We've had an incredibly tough Champions League and performed at our best levels, but I still think there is more to come from us."
Barcelona will be without Lucy Bronze for the second leg (Getty Images)Although Barcelona will be without the injured Lucy Bronze, they are set to welcome back Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas after nearly ten months on the sidelines. Hayes' side have their own fitness issues at the back with Millie Bright still missing.
And Hayes also confirmed that fellow centre-half Kadeisha Buchanan will also be absent from the second leg.
"Kadeisha isn’t long-term,” added Hayes. "But she has an ankle ligament issue that might take another week or maybe three weeks. We just have to take it day-by-day with her."
Hayes also gave her views on the potential club vs country debate that could pose an issue before the World Cup. On Wednesday the European Club Association (ECA) told every women’s national team that players will not be available until the international window officially starts, meaning players won't be able to join prep camps for Australia and New Zealand as early as originally planned.
"I think we have to reflect on the number of injuries that have taken place in the women's game," said Hayes. "And I think there is a valid argument for sticking to windows.
"Particularly over the last three years, players have had so little rest. As we've progressed from an amateur game to a professional game, we have to look at player welfare and players having more rest."
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