<\/p>\n
Emma Hayes described her Chelsea side\u2019s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid as \u2018boring\u2019 \u2014 despite the result clinching them a Women\u2019s Champions League quarter-final spot.<\/p>\n
A Guro Reiten penalty and a Mylene Chavas own goal either side of Athenea del Castillo\u2019s strike sealed a success which sees the Blues qualify for the last eight with a game to spare.<\/p>\n
But Hayes pulled no punches when assessing the contest from an entertainment perspective.<\/p>\n
The 47-year-old said: \u201cI didn\u2019t think it was a scintillating performance. I thought it was a boring game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut not every game is swashbuckling or dynamic. I thought it was quite flat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why I made the change at half-time to bring Lauren [James] in, which I thought helped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got the deserved penalty, conceded a sloppy goal but it was a really good reaction to go 2-1 up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen [we] managed the game somewhat to the end in a, what would you call it, efficient manner? But it was boring if I\u2019m being honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
The success means Hayes can now afford to rotate for the Blues\u2019 final group stage fixture away to Paris FC.<\/p>\n
Yet while the boss sees the perks of switching up her line-up amid a packed schedule, she is also wary of disrupting a winning side.<\/p>\n
Hayes added: \u201cWhen you\u2019re managing a squad of players it\u2019s tricky.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t want to change much [from the weekend] because you want to build the rhythm. But now the priority has to be experimenting and giving opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s making sure we get Millie Bright back, Nathalie Bjorn registered and Catarina Macario ready.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe there\u2019s a new player coming in at some point, too. I don\u2019t know! I won\u2019t speculate on that of course. But we need to get ourselves ready.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we want to progress we need to get better but I thought it was a really measured performance from us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nTHROUGH TO THE QUARTERS! \ud83d\ude01#UWCL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wP9F7iD4FB<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 24, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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