Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says that her side are ready to move on from Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Barclays Women’s Super League title rivals Arsenal.
The Blues have had little time to analyse that defeat with a UEFA Women’s Champions League fixture against BK Häcken next up on the calendar this evening.
When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Chelsea boss Hayes said that her side have already dealt with the aftermath of the Arsenal loss and they are now ready to move on in front of a home crowd at Stamford Bridge.
“The team has dealt with it, we dealt with it in our own camp,” Hayes said. “We’ve been here before, we’ve lost a game, we haven’t lost a trophy, we haven’t lost a title, we lost three points, we move on.”
Latest opponents BK Häcken arrive in South West London out of season but Hayes sees a team that will provide a real threat.
She said “We’ve seen the way that they’ve played in the Champions League and in the league and we know that they’ll cause problems, particularly in transition.
“They’re a typical Swedish team in the way that they defend in a 4-1-4-1 and they’ll make it difficult for us to have the inside of the pitch, so we will have to have variety to our play.
“They’ve proved their efficiency; they’ve been a very efficient team so far in the tournament. They’ve had a good period in the Champions League but our focus is on ourselves.”
Hayes went on to highlight some of the Swedish club’s biggest attributes at both ends of the pitch.
“They’re very resilient defensively, they’re difficult to break down and they’re very clinical, they take their chances, especially in the transitions,” Hayes added. “You have to be switched on because they’re very good from set plays and throw ins.
“We’ve only had a day of preparation time but we’ve prepared in the best way. We are used to doing this and we don’t take them lightly.”
Chelsea’s UEFA Women’s Champions League fixture against BK Häcken kicks-off at 8pm. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.
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