Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has admitted she is "grateful" her side are still in their Champions League semi-final tie after their first-leg defeat to Barcelona.
The Catalans dominated the opening exchanges at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon and were rewarded for their fearless start when Caroline Graham Hansen broke the deadlock with a superb solo effort inside four minutes.
It was a nightmare start for Chelsea, who were 4-0 down inside 36 minutes when the two sides met in the 2021 Champions League final. However, the Blues appeared to have learned from that capitulation in Gothenburg and rallied well in west London.
Despite a second-half onslaught from Barcelona, Hayes' side kept the deficit to 1-0 and, while they will have to turn in a much-improved attacking display in the second leg at the Camp Nou, the Chelsea boss believes her side are still in with a chance of reaching the final.
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"Barcelona are an amazing team. We had a disappointing start. But we grew into the first half, scored a goal that was offside, and we need to be perfect to beat these guys," Hayes said.
"In the second half we needed to be better on the ball in the right moments but I'm grateful to be in a position where the tie wasn't over after 25 minutes. I see that as progress."
Guro Reiten had the best of Chelsea's chances and thought she had restored parity for the hosts when she smartly dispatched Sam Kerr's perfectly weighted delivery into the back of the net after 25 minutes.
The Norwegian's cool finish was swiftly chalked off for offside but the Norwegian remained Chelsea's most potent attacking threat, with a superb block from Lucy Bronze diverting her goal-bound effort to safety just minutes later. It wasn't to be for Chelsea in front of goal though, and the Blues had to put in a disciplined defensive display to prevent Barcelona from adding to their tally after the break.
"You have to suffer. You have to be without the ball. One switch off and positional error cost us the goal," Hayes added.
"They have different threats. I think we limited them to as few chances as we possibly could and I'll take that going into the next game.
"You have to be in the tie and we’re in the tie. Now we have to prepare again for another game. It’s important we learn and stay in the tie. That’s the big message."
Chelsea will travel to the Camp Nou for the second leg on Thursday, April 27.
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