- Chelsea secured their place in the final four of the Women’s Champions League
- Mayra Ramírez scored in a 1-1 draw with Ajax, advancing 4-1 on aggregate
- Secrets from Sven-Goran Eriksson’s £2,500-a-night suite in Manchester – Listen to the podcast Everything is Beginning
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There was little chance of Chelsea not advancing to the Champions League semi-finals. Likewise, there was little chance that Emma Hayes would assume the job was done.
A 3-0 win over Ajax last week had given the Blues a good lead at the halfway point, but nothing is guaranteed. His team was not at its best in this second leg, but it did not matter. A 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge was more than enough to set up what is likely to be a delightful tie against defending champions Barcelona.
Their tie is not over yet. The Catalans have a 2-1 lead heading into the second leg against Norwegian side SK Brann on Thursday, but it would be a big surprise if they do not advance.
It’s no secret how much Hayes and his players want to win this competition. It is the only piece of silverware Hayes has yet to collect and with the 47-year-old leaving for the United States at the end of the season, it would be a fairytale ending for her to retire as European champion.
They are one step closer to that becoming a reality, but there are more games to go before they return to this competition.
Mayra Ramírez scored in the first half against Ajax as Chelsea sealed a place in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals.
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The Blues face Arsenal in the League Cup final on Sunday before facing Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final after the international break.
The number of games Chelsea have to play compared to their rivals was clearly on Hayes’ mind when it came to his team selection. Lauren James, Sjoeke Nusken and Niamh Charles were rested, while Mayra Ramirez and Kadeisha Buchanan retired shortly after the hour mark.
In truth, Chelsea looked like a team that had played a lot of games in a short space of time in the early stages and almost gave Ajax a route back into the tie at the start of the first half.
Erin Cuthbert’s back pass was short, forcing goalkeeper Zecira Musovic out of her goal. Tiny Hoekstra charged his clearance and the ball almost ended up in the Chelsea net, bouncing just off the post and wide.
The Blues may have looked shaky in defence, but they were causing Ajax problems in their own area, with Guro Reiten sending a shot inches wide of the far post.
Aggie Beever-Jones almost found the first goal with a powerful run, but lost her balance before shooting.
But Chelsea’s pressure paid off when the goal came in the 33rd minute. Reiten passed Ramírez towards the goal and the striker put the ball between goalkeeper Regina van Eijk’s legs and into the net.
Ramírez should have made it 2-0 before the break, but he could only send a Beever-Jones cross wide.
Chelsea were going quietly, but they switched off just after the hour mark to allow Ajax to equalize on the night. Hoekstra passed the ball to Chasity Grant, who fired under Musovic.
Ajax could have won when Romee Leuchter ghosted into the box and fired at the far post, but Musovic made an excellent save to tip the ball around the post.
The goalkeeper also had to be alert to make another good save that deflected Soraya Verhoeve’s long-range shot wide.
Catarina Macario almost found the winning goal in added time, but Van Eijk stretched well to block the forward’s attempt.
