Chelsea Ladies to play at Stamford Bridge for the first time
By Charlotte Bates
Last Updated: 03/10/16 4:38pm
Chelsea Ladies will play at Stamford Bridge for the first time when they host Wolfsburg in the Champions League.
The Blues lost to the Bundesliga side, who eventually reached the final, in last season's competition and will now face them again in the first leg of their round of 32.
Blues head coach Emma Hayes believes it's a perfect platform to showcase their talent and is hopeful of a crowd of around 5,000.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for people to come and see how our game is growing and what talent that will be on array," Hayes said. "Stars from Germany, stars from England; it's a great opportunity for us to test ourselves against the absolute best.
"I think there is not a better opportunity for us to play than to play at home at Chelsea. It will be great if we can fill it with 5,000 [people]. I know there are still tickets still on sale, hopefully it will be a blue house.
"I know the team are very keen to make an impression in front of our home crowd.
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime. This is the first time we have ever played at Stamford Bridge. What a way to do it against the second best team in Europe."
Despite their 2015 last-16 exit in the Women's Champions League, Hayes is confident that the support she receives from the club and the home advantage of playing at Stamford Bridge will give them the edge this time round.
"This is the level of support that we have received throughout my time here," the coach added. "It gets better with every year and going to Stamford Bridge is just the cherry on the cake."
"This has been part of Bruce Buck's dream to bring Champions League football to Stamford Bridge through the women's set up, so we are going to do our best to make our best impression because ultimately that what our aim is to become European champions.
"While we are relatively new to the competition for us we have already got the experience of playing Wolfsburg once and to do it at home to get a great result that will take us away from home is all we are focused on."
