Chelsea boss Emma Hayes believes her side has simply lived up to expectations by securing passage to the Champions League semi-finals after a 1-1 draw with Ajax at Stamford Bridge.
Mayra Ramirez opened the scoring 33 minutes into in the first half of her Champions League debut and, while Chasity Grant netted a second-half consolation for the visitors, the Blues ultimately booked their place in the final four with a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory.
The Blues, who progressed to the semi-finals for the fifth time in seven seasons, will face the winners of the last-eight clash between holders Barcelona and Norwegian side Brann, who play their second leg on Thursday.
Hayes said: “If you look at our record in the Champions League, even in the last five years, it was only once we didn’t qualify from the group. We’ve made the latter stages every year.
“We expect to be here, I should say that. I don’t make any excuses. We should be at this level, and we should be at the semi-finals. Of course we have a little bit more depth to be able to do things like make six changes tonight than we’ve ever had.
“But we haven’t won anything. We’re in the place we want to be. I don’t know who the opponent will be, but we’re ready.”
The Champions League trophy is the one that still eludes Hayes, who has secured 13 major titles in her 12-year run at the Blues’ helm that will conclude when she departs at the end of this season to take over the US women’s national team ahead of this summer’s Olympics.
The now five-time semi-finalists came closest when they reached a maiden final in 2021, ultimately finishing runners-up in a 4-0 loss to Barcelona, the same side who knocked them out with a 2-1 victory on aggregate in last season’s semi-finals.
This time around Hayes feels Chelsea have “more attacking options, more variety, a little more experience”.
“We’ve been in the latter stages so many times, we know where we have to be to play in those sorts of games,” Hayes added.
Ajax captain Sherida Spitse, whose side were just the second Dutch club to reach the last eight in Women’s Champions League history, insisted she and her team-mates will walk away from the competition with their heads held high.
She said: “I think we can be really proud of each other. Of course you always want to win, you always want to go through, but in the end we have shown who Ajax are and that we have developed in a good way, especially in the games in the Champions League.
“We have to be here every year because I think that is the best place to be.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Enzo Maresca now The Arsenal of Italy When you see it… Arteta really thinks this. The difference The last time Man United won a European Trophy was when they played against… Andre Onana! James Maddison had a big night Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC...
Kyle Walker's decline led to him being cast aside by Pep Guardiola, before he joined AC Milan in January. Since then, it has been Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis that have operated at right-back, but Man City are keen for a specialist to be brought in during the summer. And they have now set their sights on one of the Premier League's brightest talents.Man City identify Tino Livramento as leading rig...
Alejandro Garnacho is increasingly likely to leave Manchester United this summer, sources have told ESPN, after he was named on the bench for the Europa League final.United and Garnacho's representatives are expected to have a meeting in the coming days to discuss the Argentina international's exit during the summer transfer window, a source told ESPN.The player is unhappy with the role he has pla...
Liverpool have received a major boost in their pursuit of Florian Wirtz, with Bayern Munich believing the playmaker will not be joining them and is on track for a move to Anfield if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen this summer.Wirtz has been targeted by both clubs but is believed to favour Liverpool — although they would still need to agree a deal with Leverkusen, which is not a formality given th...
Fernandes told to make mind up over £200m Al-Hilal moveAl-Hilal have reportedly warned Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes to make a quick decision over a huge £200 million ($271m) move to Saudi Arabia.Barca could bid farewell to Torre in final La Liga gameYoung midfielder Pablo Torre's future is currently uncertain, and he could play his final game for the Catalans against Athletic C...
DONE DEAL? Al Sadd reach pre-contract terms with Barcelona midfielder PrimAl Sadd have clinched an agreement with Barcelona midfielder Pau Prim.The 19 year-old prospect comes off contract at the end of next month and Mundo Deportivo says Qatar's Al Sadd have agreed a pre-contract with the youngster.Prim will move to the Middle East in a Bosman transfer.The midfielder follows the path of Barca lege...
Atletico Madrid planning shock Real Madrid raid for RodrygoAtletico Madrid are eyeing a shock raid on Real Madrid for unhappy attacker Rodrygo Goes.Rodrygo is unsettled and unhappy at Real, convinced he will never receive the recognition he believes he deserves for what he has achieved with the club.As such, Rodrygo and his agents are considering their options, with talks with Manchester City havi...
McKenna reveals Liam Delap will leave this summer: We've given him the permission...Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed that striker Liam Delap will leave the club this summer and he fully supports his decision.The England Under-21 striker will be free to leave Portman Road for just 330m this summer after the Tractor Boys were relegated to the Championship. Delap has scored 12 goals ...
1. FC Heidenheim 1846 v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - BundesligaJonathan Tah and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement that will see the defender join the Bundesliga champions on a free transfer.WHAT HAPPENED?Tah will complete a long-awaited move to Vincent Kompany's side from Bayer Leverkusen when his contract expires this summer, with Sky Sport reporting a deal has been struck. According to Fabrizio R...
Napoli v Cagliari - Serie AScott McTominay has been named Serie A's best player of the 2024-25 season after his key role in Napoli's title success.WHAT HAPPENED?McTominay brought an end to a fantastic debut season in Italy when he scored in Napoli's 2-0 win against Cagliari on Friday, securing the Serie A title on the final day of the season.THE BIGGER PICTUREWith 12 goals and six assists since hi...
- 1 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 2 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 3 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Man United man makes stunning claim
- 6 Tottenham vs Manchester United Prediction 22 May 2025
- 7 Eberechi Eze is at it again as he helps Crystal Palace to victory against Wolves
- 8 Liverpool considering transfer swoop
- 9 Man City target right-back Tino Livramento
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE