Chelsea manager Emma Hayes is expecting tonight’s UEFA Women’s Champions League opponents Vllaznia to be a more difficult challenge on their own turf.
The Blues have travelled to Albania for their penultimate fixture in this season’s group stage. Chelsea can secure their place in the quarter-finals with a positive result against the Group A minnows.
Vllaznia were defeated 8-0 by Chelsea at Kingsmeadow in late October but Blues boss Hayes expects them to be a different side on their home pitch at the Loro Boriçi Stadium this evening.
“Absolutely, they’re at home,” Hayes said when considering whether Vllaznia will be a stronger opponent this time around. “I remember being at home watching them against Madrid here and they were really stubborn to break down. It is a different game away from home and it is something that we are prepared for.
“We have to expect that they will have learned from their European journey and we have to be the top professionals that we are to make sure that we are ready for the things that they have worked on.”
Chelsea are in a better position in their group than they were 12 months ago when Hayes’ COVID-hit Blues were dumped out of the competition. Hayes went on to express her delight at the current situation.
She said “We are happy to be in a position where it is within our control, that’s all we ask for. This game is another opportunity to get three points and if we get those three points, we have the opportunity to qualify.
“I’d much rather be in a position where it is in our hands rather than it be in the opponents’ so we are happy to be in that place.”
Chelsea’s UEFA Women’s Champions League fixture against Vllaznia kicks-off at 5.45pm.
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