Emma Hayes has warned that there is no room for complacency in the Chelsea squad ahead of their Women's Champions League clash against Ajax.
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Hayes remains cautious ahead of the Ajax clashChelsea players are not complacentWill meet Arsenal on Sunday in FA Women's League Cup finalWHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea have one foot in the Women's Champions League semi-final as they thrashed Ajax 3-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash last week. However, manager Hayes has explained how fear has been a motivating factor for her team ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge and that there is no room for complacency in the squad.
AdvertisementWHAT EMMA HAYES SAID
Speaking to reporters ahead of the crucial encounter on Wednesday, Hayes said: "The fear of not being in the semi-final is for us as big a driver as the desire to win the game. In fact, it's more. There is no one in our dressing room that will take tomorrow's game lightly or think for one minute, just because we're winning 3-0, that the game is over.
"That would be a mistake. It all starts in your head. When a team has nothing to lose, 3-0 down, they play with freedom, they play in a different way, they express themselves and they're often their most dangerous. So for sure, we don't take tomorrow lightly."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Blues have two big games on their hands this week as they are set to take on Arsenal in the final of the FA Women's League Cup on Sunday. When asked if the manager would be rotating her squad against Ajax while keeping in mind the all-important match against the Gunners, Hayes added: "I’m not thinking about Sunday, I am only thinking about tomorrow. We know Ajax are going to come out and be aggressive. We're expecting that as they have to. We're prepared for the aggression and their learnings [from the first leg]. They’re a good side and it's important for us to keep all of our focus and attention on tomorrow."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
The west London side are set to miss Swedish defender Nathalie Bjorn for the Ajax clash due to an injury, as confirmed by the manager. Should Chelsea progress as expected, they will face either Barcelona or Brann in the semi-finals of the women's Champions League.