Women’s Champions League final: Chelsea players tell Roman Abramovich they ‘will be back’

Women’s Champions League final: Chelsea players tell Roman Abramovich they ‘will be back’


Hayes said Chelsea’s defeat by Barcelona should not diminish their achievements already this season.

And she urged her side to follow the example of their opponents, who became the first Spanish side to win the Women’s Champions League two years after a 4-1 defeat by Lyon in the final.

“We’re double winners so far, we’ve had an exceptional season,” said Hayes. “The disappointment that will be felt in the dressing room is that the game was over before it began.

“The better team won the game and we need to close that gap against them. They had the pain of two years ago and it showed.

“Ann-Katrin Berger didn’t have a save to make yet we were 4-0 down. They were extremely clinical.

“Congratulations to Barcelona, they are worthy winners as champions of Europe.

“I thought their experience counted, I thought they were exceptional in both boxes. It was one of those games when it felt like everything fell to them and the early goals took a lot out of the team.”

However, Hayes believes her players, such as inexperienced duo Jess Carter and Niamh Charles, will be better for the experience and they should take heart from their second-half display.

“Some of the players haven’t played in this arena before and it showed, but they’ll improve with that experience,” added Hayes.

“I know with the strength of depth we’ve got on the bench, the quality the team has displayed all year is unbelievable. This is a disappointment tonight, we’re disappointed in the result but I thought we gave it everything second-half, at least we showed the character we’ve got.”



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