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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Emma Hayes eyeing Stamford Bridge sell-out as Chelsea host Barcelona

Chelsea have sold more than 27,000 tickets for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues are within touching distance of the final after a 1-0 victory in Spain, which was one of the finest results of boss Emma Hayes’s 12-year tenure.

Erin Cuthbert scored the only goal as holders Barcelona were beaten at home for the first time in five years.

Hayes wants a sold-out Stamford Bridge for the return leg as she targets a perfect farewell before leaving to take over the United States women’s national team in the summer.

The Champions League is the one trophy to elude Hayes at Chelsea, and she said: “It’s essential [the game is sold out].

“Our girls deserve to play in front of a full house to give ourselves the best possible chance. We will need the crowd. Barcelona will throw absolutely everything at us. For us to progress, we need absolutely everything.”

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