Emma Hayes and Chelsea denied fairytale ending as Barcelona reach Women's Champions League final

FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE - Emma Hayes may have played down the significance of this match prior to kick-off, but it was difficult to escape the magnitude of the tie at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The manager is set to depart Chelsea at the end of the season for pastures new in the United States and a semi-final clash against Barcelona presented one final opportunity to reach the Champions League final and move within touching distance of European glory.

Jonatan Giraldez’s side have emerged as one of Chelsea’s meanest obstacles in recent years. The west London club were comfortably beaten 4-0 by Barcelona in the 2021 final and last season’s dream was ended by the Catalan giants once again, this time at the semi-final stage, with a 2-1 aggregate score over two legs.

This term, there was a glimmer of hope things would be different. Hayes’ side went to Barcelona a week ago and edged a narrow, but crucial, one-goal victory.

A heroic defensive display from Jess Carter and co left Barcelona frustrated as they fell to their first home defeat in five years. But, it was only half-time and Chelsea knew they still had a mammoth task ahead of them.

Despite a welcomed return to the squad for a handful of defenders, Chelsea were handed a significant blow pre-match with the absence of January signing Mayra Ramirez. Hayes revealed post-match she withdrew from the squad after training on Friday.

It was Catarina Macario and Lauren James who were tasked with leading the line for Chelsea on the night. Both looked lively in the opening stages, but it was Barcelona who took the lead in the first-half at Stamford Bridge.

Aitana Bonmati did what she does best and drove forward to get a shot away. It took a fortunate deflection off Kadeisha Buchanan and flew beyond Hannah Hampton and into the back of the net.

Chelsea, though, looked destined to equalise before the break. Melanie Leupolz rattled the crossbar with an effort from six yards out, it was an abysmal miss. Although, the midfielder’s blushes may have been saved by a possible offside in the build-up.

Soon after, Sjoeke Nusken picked up a loose ball in the box from Barcelona defender Irene Paredes. Instead of taking the shot on, she attempted to square it, hoping it would be met by a blue shirt.

It was. But, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd couldn’t quite sort her feet to get a shot away and instead it fell to Erin Cuthbert. The Scot was the hero last week with the only goal of the game, and yet, this time her effort was high and wide.

Chelsea had their fair share of chances but the second-half saw everything unravel before their very eyes. Buchanan picked up two yellow cards in the space of five minutes and was given her marching orders.

Ashley Lawrence then conceded a penalty, which Fridolina Rolfo cooly dispatched, to put Barcelona in the driving seat for the first time in the tie. Chelsea had lost all control and 15 minutes remained for them to transform their fortunes.

There was one final roll of the dice for Hayes with less than 10 minutes on the clock. Millie Bright made her long awaited return, albeit as a striker, while Fran Kirby and Eve Perisset took to the pitch for Lawrence and Rytting Kaneryd.

The Chelsea boss painted a frustrated figure on the touchline as the clock ticked down. Hands placed behind her head, she watched as the visitors controlled possession and comfortably passed around those in blue.

Despite a late free-kick deep into added time, the hosts were unable to muster up any clear cut chances to keep their hopes alive.

A sell-out crowd for Hayes’ final game at Stamford Bridge, but the fairytale ending simply wasn’t to be. Chelsea will go again in Europe next season, but with a different manager at the helm.

"Up until the second yellow we were on top," the Chelsea boss said post-match. "It was us that had just hit the post.

"I could feel the momentum of the crowd and the players. The official has made a horrific decision [sending off Buchanan]. I think that's the hard part, when you work so hard over the days, weeks and months, you expect the best from the officials at the very least. It's really hard to take."

What was once a quadruple chase has quickly diminished into a push for another league title. A race that Manchester City currently lead both on points and goal difference.

Chelsea are at risk of finishing the season without silverware and it would be a cruel way for Hayes to end her time at the club after more than a decade of service - but it certainly wouldn’t dampen her legacy.

Hayes has transformed not only the club, but she’s been an integral figure in the rapid progress of the women’s game in England over the years. The Women's Super League simply won’t be the same without her.

Her European dream with Chelsea may not have been realised, but the United States women’s national team are gaining one of England’s finest and there is every chance success will follow.

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