Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says that Italian clubs understand exactly what it takes to win football matches.
The Blues have travelled to Turin for their second UEFA Women’s Champions League group match against Juventus which takes place on Wednesday evening.
Commenting on her side’s latest opponents in the pre-match press conference, Chelsea boss Hayes said that Juventus will provide The Blues with a tough test whilst adding that Italian teams know what is required to be victorious.
“I think this will be a tough game,” Hayes told FAWSL Full-Time. “I think that Italian teams are notorious for having an unbelievable understanding of what it takes to win football matches.
“This is the home of some brilliant defending – in the men’s game, they are European champions. I’ve got huge respect for Italian football, I’ve got an Italian father so I know that this will be as tougher task as it was against Wolfsburg.”
The fixture takes place in the Juventus Stadium, the same venue where the 2022 UEFA Women’s Champions League final will be held. Hayes claimed that she did not know that this year’s final will be staged in Turin and said that she is just excited to have the opportunity to play in the Juventus Stadium this week.
“I didn’t know that the final was there until you told me,” Hayes claimed. “I am just excited to play in an amazing stadium with an amazing pitch. I grew up watching a lot of football and I’ve watched a lot of Juventus in my life, I’m really excited to be here.”
The UEFA Women’s Champions League group fixture between Juventus and Chelsea kicks-off at 8pm on Wednesday evening and will be available to stream live on DAZN.
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