Chelsea: Emma Hayes says Blues’ Champions League opponents Lyon are a different proposition now compared to earlier in season | Football News

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Emma Hayes doubts there is much to be learned from Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of Lyon earlier this season ahead of Chelsea’s clash with the European champions.

The Gunners made their mark in the Champions League last October with a stunning win over a team that has won the competition in six of the last seven seasons, including last year.

Lyon got a measure of revenge at the Emirates Stadium in December to finish runner-up in the group behind Arsenal, with the prize of the French team in the quarter-final match against Chelsea, which you can follow live updates from SkySports.com and the Sky Sports App on Saturday night.

The teams met in a pre-season friendly in August, where Chelsea threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 before losing on penalties, and will go into the first leg at the Groupama Stadium with Lyon a stronger prospect. with some big names back in action after injury.

Picture:
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea face Lyon on Wednesday night

Asked if there was anything Chelsea could take from Arsenal’s win earlier in the season, Hayes replied: “It was a fantastic performance from Arsenal, but we also saw Lyon go to Arsenal and win 1-0.

“We know that Lyon is a top team, before this season they lost a lot of players, now that’s not the case, they have a lot of experienced players.

“There were certainly things from Arsenal’s performance last night that reminded us of a few things that were repeated in the pre-season game against Lyon.

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Hayes was delighted to see Kim Kardashian’s son Saint wearing a Katie McCabe shirt and said it was encouraging to see more people getting involved in the women’s game.

“But I think it’s a very different game and Lyon are at a very different stage than before this season.”

Both Chelsea and Lyon sit at the top of their respective domestic divisions and many are expecting a match between two in-form teams to be an affair.

Hayes added: “Both teams will work hard, especially in the first half.

“I don’t know what it’s going to look like, all I know is that we’ve prepared the best we can and we’re really ready.”

Chelsea’s next five games

Lyon (A) – Champions League – Wednesday, March 22, 17.45

Man City (A) – WSL – Sunday 26 March, 12.40pm

Lyon (H) – Champions League – Thursday March 30, 8 p.m

Villa Aston Kab (A) – WSL – Sunday 2 April, 18.45

Villa Aston Kab (A) – FA Cup – Sunday 16 April, kick off time TBC

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