Emma Hayes’s side fell short against the champions in front of the biggest-ever crowd for a women’s game at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s dreams of ending Emma Hayes’ reign as manager with a European title are over after they suffered an agonising semi-final defeat against holders Barcelona.
Chelsea 0-2 Barcelona (Barcelona win 2-1 on agg.): The champions advance to the final in Bilbao, where they will face either PSG or Lyon, after goals from Aitana Bonmati and Fridolina Rolfö, though Hayes will bemoan some controversial decisions from the referee
It is easy to forget now, 20 years on, that Sir Alex Ferguson faced some very uncomfortable questions in those days when he was rebuilding Manchester United in the image of a young Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. Erik ten Hag referred back to that time in the aftermath of this latest dimly received disappointment, referencing how even that team in 2004 and 2005 “didn’t play that great football” but were “building” and required the sort of patience he himself is now calling for. He even went