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Emma Hayes ‘relieved and exhausted’ after ‘ugliest’ Chelsea performance in win over Lyon in Champions League
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Published 31/03/2023 at 12:00 GMT+1
Chelsea produced both their most character-building, but ugliest performance as they made it through to the last four of the Champions League – that is according to boss Emma Hayes. The Women Super League side levelled the tie in added time of extra time before winning on penalties. Hayes said the experience had left her relieved and exhausted. Chelsea face Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Emma Hayes, Manager of Chelsea, celebrates victory following the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final 2nd leg match between Chelsea FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on March 30, 2023 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has heaped praise on her side after they secured their spot in the last four of the Champions League after a dramatic win over eight-time winners Lyon at Stamford Bridge.
It was her side’s most character building but also ugliest performance, said Hayes, and it had left her relieved and exhausted.
Hayes’ side went into the second leg with a slender advantage following Guro Reiten’s first-leg strike at the Groupama Stadium, but goals from Vanessa Gilles in normal time and Sara Dabritz in extra time had seemingly seen Sonia Bompastor’s side through.
However, an intervention from VAR saw Chelsea awarded a penalty in stoppage time of extra time and Maren Mjelde remained composed to send the tie to penalties.
There, Ann-Katrin Berger saved two spot kicks – from Wendie Renard and Lindsey Horan – as Hayes’ side set up a last-four showdown with Barcelona.
And the Chelsea manager said post-match that she didn’t watch the penalties until she was forced to do so by Reiten, adding that the performance showed both great character and also Chelsea's ability to win ugly.
"I didn't want to watch the shootout until Guro [Reiten] made me,” said Hayes.
“We have never won a penalty shootout as a team so can you imagine what was going on in my mind?
"I was forced into every substitution tonight - they were injuries in every case. I had to be so conscious even in extra time that the penalty takers were on the pitch.
"I didn't see a goal in us, to be honest. When I see Lyon's subs coming on, world-class talent one after another, we managed the best we could given the circumstances. It was the most character-building performance, even if it was the ugliest.
"I'm just relieved it's over and we're through. Our depth wasn't big tonight. Players have had to come into the game and play multiple roles.
"For Maren to do what she did, last kick of the game, she's a Chelsea legend. She deserves her night as much as Ann-Katrin does because we know what she's like from penalties.
"I knew if we got to that situation momentum would turn. Drama! I'm relieved and exhausted."
The Chelsea manager also reserved praise for goalkeeper Berger, noting her excellence in high-pressure moments.
“She’s someone who really thrives in big moments,” said Hayes of Berger.
“She’s probably the best penalty-saving goalkeeper I’ve worked with. Every day everyone hates going up against her.”
Chelsea will now face Barcelona over two legs in late April. Arsenal and Wolfsburg are on the other side of the draw.
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