Chelsea boss Emma Hayes was joined by Erin Cuthbert this afternoon as the pair previewed tomorrow evening’s clash with Real Madrid in the penultimate group stage match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Wednesday’s fixture will see the Blues host the Spanish side at Stamford Bridge- a test that both Hayes and Cuthbert are eagerly awaiting.

“We’re at home, we’ve played the opponent before, we know their qualities. For us, we have to keep building on the qualities and the standards that we’ve set for ourselves.” says Hayes.

As for Erin Cuthbert, Hayes confirmed that the Scottish midfielder would be captaining the side as they host Real Madrid on home turf tomorrow evening. Cuthbert spoke in regards to the upcoming challenge, assuring that her Blues would come out firing.

“I’m really excited about it, but it’s one that’s a great challenge and I think we’ll be looking to win tomorrow night. But we know it comes with a process, how we started the game on Sunday is how we’ll be looking to start the game tomorrow night.

We’re making Stamford Bridge more and more our home, and when people come to our home they don’t dominate us, we dominate them.”

Chelsea are returning to Stamford Bridge off the back of a statement 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday, something Cuthbert believes is setting the foundations for her team to keep performing to high standards going forward in all competitions.

“I think everything we’ve done at Chelsea, certainly since I’ve been here, has been hard work, doing everything for the team, doing exactly what the team needs, and putting the team first always. I think that comes from our defensive actions and we got that spot on from a collective, everyone did the job that was asked of them. Then I think that allowed players like Lauren [James] to go and shine.”

Chelsea’s next opponents in Real Madrid are unfortuanley discounted from progressing past the group stages in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, as the side currently occupy fourth position in Group D. Despite their opponents lacking the tangible endeavour, both Cuthbert and Hayes assured that their opponents will not come without motivation.

The Chelsea boss said, “We’re at home, I think everybody would be expecting us to be favourites heading into the game. However it’s Real Madrid, and they have a quality squad, they’ve got a lot of internationals and they did draw with us in the reverse fixture. So, we know what we have to do and I always say to the players let’s focus on that and put all of our energy into being as good as we can be.”

As for Cuthbert, she gave player perspective into how she is viewing Chelsea’s upcoming opponents, refusing to discount the threat that the Spanish side may impose.

“I’ve been in dressing rooms before where you technically don’t have anything to play for and I think that’s when you express yourself the most, you play with the most amount of freedom. So I think they’ll come out with nothing to lose and no expectations on them, the eyes won’t be on them- I think they’ll be looking to push and show exactly why they should be in Champions League.”

Chelsea’s fixture with Real Madrid in the UEFA Women’s Champions League is set to kick off at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening, at 8pm.