‘We’re under no illusions it will be tough’, says Erin Cuthbert of Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Ajax
ERIN CUTHBERT hopes Chelsea can silence Ajax fans when they take on the Dutch giants in the Women’s Champions League quarters.
And the midfielder says it “would mean everything” if the Blues reached the contest’s in Emma Hayes’ last season at the helm.
Cuthbert was speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s first-leg duel with their rivals at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday.
It’s the Dutch team’s first taste of the contest’s last eight phase.
The club progressed to the knockout phase after finishing second in Group C above Bayern Munich and Roma.
A record crowd for a women’s club game in the Netherlands is expected at their Amsterdam ground with 34,200 tickets sold so far.
While Chelsea will draw on experience of performing in front of big crowds in Europe, Cuthbert warns they may face a fearless Ajax.
The Blues ace, whose side will face their rivals at Stamford Bridge in the second leg next Wednesday, said: “It’s their first time at this point in the competition.
“We can certainly use that experience as one sort of advantage factor.
“As a player, I certainly know that if I was in the competition for the first time, I’d be playing without fear.
“We need to be wary that they can play without fear, they’ve got nothing to lose, and we’ve got everything (to lose).
“We’ll be giving it everything to try and bring a result back to Stamford Bridge that we’re happy with.”
Boss Emma Hayes, added: “We’ve only had yesterday to prepare for this game.
“But the players’ experiences of being at this tournament have to count, because it is intimidating to play in front of 35,000 at a tight arena.
“For us, let’s draw on our experiences because it is important that we come through this tie in a really strong position.”
A last eight knockout of Ajax would see Chelsea pitted against either SK Brann or two-time contest winners Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Last year was the last time the Blues reached the tournament’s semis
where they fell to a narrow 2-1 aggregate loss to Barca.
And the Catalan giants were the victors when both clubs reached the final for the first time back in 2021.
The biggest trophy for Europe’s elite clubs remains the only major piece of silverware to have so far eluded Hayes.
And Cuthbert hopes the Blues will fulfil their wish of lifting it with their gaffer before for her departure for a new job as boss of the USA Women’s team later this year.
She adds: “It would mean everything to get to the final and to go on and win it.
“But I’ve been at this club so long, it’s all about a process.
“We’re in the quarter-finals now and it’s two ties that lie ahead
“Two tough games against a really tough team who have more than proved themselves at this level.
“We’re under no illusions, it’s going to be a tough game, but of course it’s hard not to dream a little bit.”