Emma Hayes didn’t want to talk about football and, shortly after a historic night at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea manager made sure there wouldn’t be any. Not until the “worst decision in the history of the Women’s Champions League” that semi-final second leg turned Barcelona’s way and denied Chelsea and Hayes a final shot at a trophy that left them after 12 years together. gave
Hayes didn’t think Kadeisha Buchanan’s tackle on Patri Guijarro was wrong, let alone a second yellow card to let the Chelsea player down against the best team in the world.
UEFA could decide to take action against Hayes following criticism of Romanian referee Iuliana Demetrescu, suggesting the official was not ready for such a massive tie, or could claim Chelsea had a post-match penalty. “Robbed” during the news conference, prompting occasional gasps. From members of the Spanish media. Still there will be little gain, given that he leaves for the United States at the end of the season.
But perhaps, once the dust has settled, Hayes can reflect that his goal for Chelsea in the Champions League wasn’t all it took – and that an agonizing defeat at the hands of Barcelona ended a decade-long pursuit of European glory. There was an example of which has now fallen. short
Hayes is right to say that the Champions League will not define his legacy at Chelsea. Not when the Blues dominated the women’s football scene in England in the first years of the professional career, winning five Women’s Super Leagues and six FA Cups. Not when the thorn in Chelsea’s side has been a Barcelona side, who have suffered three defeats against the world’s best in the past four seasons.
Chelsea’s improvement during that time was shown in how close they pushed Barcelona to Stamford Bridge’s record – they were unrecognizable from the side that fell to Barcelona in the 2021 final.
Hayes was left to lament that the big moments went against Chelsea, and not just in Buchanan’s red card. Hayes accused Etana Bonamati of being “smart” and making contact with Jess Carter and Ashley Lawrence in equally controversial late penalties. Barcelona were then fortunate when Bonamati’s early strike deflected off Buchanan and Hannah Hampton. Even before kick-off, Chelsea were unlucky when striker Maira Ramirez, who played a key role in the first-leg victory in Catalonia, was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Yet there were also missed chances, a sense that Barcelona were superior and had the edge to cross the line that Chelsea did not. Chelsea were up against a team in Barcelona who proved their resilience in coming from 2-0 down to win in last season’s final, and who again had the chance to come from behind in the rain in England. Benefited. “I represent that when you’re talking about mentality,” Bonmati said, “I may be skilled or I may have talent but the best part of me is my mental strength. My The whole team wins a lot but we want to keep winning every year. It’s not easy and I’m proud of our team.
But Barcelona’s progress ensured that Chelsea and Hayes now have just four games left, with the final season now dependent on a single trophy compared to the quadruple just a month ago. Chelsea return to the WSL run-in on Wednesday and a title race that could come down to goal difference on the final day.
“You’ve got to get up and go again,” said Carter, as Chelsea prepared to travel to Liverpool on Wednesday night. Hayes’ side trail Manchester City by six points but are one of two games in front of Chelsea. Chelsea will have to win to score enough to close City’s top goal difference, although Gareth Taylor’s side will also face third-placed Arsenal this weekend – without their top scorer Khadijah. Shaw’s
Now Hayes’ farewell will not be at Wembley or Bilbao for a shot at a first European crown, but at Old Trafford on May 18. The Champions League is over and there will be no FA Cup final. This could be the first trophyless season in five years. And yet Hayes could be just four games away from signing off with a fifth successive league title.
Credit : www.independent.co.uk
