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Chelsea booked their place in the semi-finals in the most exciting way, emerging victorious in a penalty shoot-out after Maren Mjelde was also flagged from the spot eight minutes into added time in extra time.

« I’m just relieved it’s over and we’re out of it, » Hayes said. “It was a drama, full of dramas. I’m exhausted. Relieves and exhausts. »

Those watching at Stamford Bridge were treated to a spectacular showdown between two of Europe’s heavyweights and Chelsea ultimately accomplished a giant massacre.

Lyon, last year’s champions and a record eight-time winner of the competition, came to London needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit and almost did so when they were leading 2-1 on aggregate with seconds left. a play.

But Mjelde showed composure to keep her side and then keeper Ann-Katrin Berger made two superb saves in a shootout that Hayes couldn’t bear to watch.

« We’ve never won a penalty shootout as a team, so can you imagine what’s going on in my head, » she said of extra time.

“I had to be aware that the penalty takers were [still] on the pitch because I couldn’t see any buts in us to be honest.

“When I saw Lyon’s substitutes come off the bench – us after us, all the world-class talent – ​​I felt we had handled the situation well. It was the most character-building performance, even if it was the ugliest. »

• (Site notre blog d’information) Daily podcast: UWCL semi-finals await Hayes’ Chelsea

« I can’t believe what I saw »

Hayes said Lyon would come for Chelsea after their first leg defeat in France but made it clear that « momentum would turn » more of a penalty shootout decider but would become likely.

The Blues, already without injured England defense Millie Bright, lost Eve Perisset and Melanie Leupolz to injuries during the game, while fatigue also began to creep in among those remaining on the pitch.

« Our depth wasn’t great and the players had to play multiple roles, » Hayes said. « For Maren [Mjelde] do what she did with the last kick of the game… she’s a Chelsea legend. »

Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward told DAZN: « I can’t believe what we just witnessed. It was tight all the way.

“It was an incredible effort from everyone involved. Chelsea had their blessings, the players were up at the end of extra time.

“The momentum flowed and ebbed throughout the two-legged encounter. A fantastic effort from Chelsea. »

Berger’s « moment » as a story created at Stamford Bridge

Mjelde produced heroism from the penalty spot – scoring in both overtime and the shootout – but Berger had the last laugh.

His two superb saves to deny Wendie Renard and Lindsey Horan unveiled a flurry of celebration at Stamford Bridge – Berger sliding to the corner flag in front of a debut ovation.

The 32 year old player revealed in august that after four years without cancer, her disease had returned and she was forced to undergo further treatment, making her achievements on Europe’s biggest stage even more remarkable.

« He’s someone who really thrives in the big moments and has done that his entire career, » Hayes said.

« She’s probably the best buttkeeper I’ve ever worked with, as I felt really confident before the shootout.

« I felt like it was her moment considering everything she’s been through. »

Berger added: “The girls know I love penalty shootouts. I don’t feel any pressure. They must score, not me! »

Meanwhile, Mjelde, who came on in the 73rd minute, said she « had no feelings » when she took the crucial penalty in the dying seconds of extra time.

“We fought until the end. A crazy game to come back like we did. We never give up,” she added.

“There was a delay then [I had to] concentrate, I had no feelings, just get rid of all the feelings in my body. Take my time, concentrate.

“It’s a moment we will never forget. We made history together at home, at Stamford Bridge, in front of our fans. Perfect, that’s what we were dreaming of. »

Chelsea, who remain in the Women’s Super League title chase and also have an FA Cup semi-final ahead, say they will need to recreate those special moments to qualify for the Champions League final.

Barcelona – the Spanish giants who beat Chelsea in the 2021 final – stand in their way into the last four when Hayes chases the only trophy that has eluded him in his managerial career.

Like Paris Saint-Germain against Wolfsburg, Olympique Lyonnais failed to recover… Beaten at home (0-1), the week passed, the Rhone club was knocked out on penalties at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea (1 -2, 4-3 tab), this Thursday, in the quarter-final return of the Women’s Champions League.

Long ineffective, the Lyonnaises nevertheless found the opening in the last quarter of an hour through Gilles (77th). During extra time, the Fenottes even made the break thanks to Dabritz (110th) … before cracking about additional time on a very generous penalty agreed to the English and converted by Mjelde (120th + 8). On penalty shootout health, Renard and Horan missed their attempts.

Eight times winner of the event and defending champion, OL will therefore give up their throne in the weeks to come. A qualification that allows Chelsea to find FC Barcelona in the last square.

All is well for Switzerland! After its 5-0 success in Belarus, the nation quietly dominated Israel (3-0), Tuesday evening, during the 2nd day of the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

After a goal from Vargas (39th) shortly before the break, the selection of Murat Yakin killed the suspense in the second half, with achievements signed Amdouni (47th) and Widmer (52nd).

6/+8 – With two wins and a score of +8 (8-0), this is the Swiss national team’s best start in the qualifying campaign (World Cup and Euros), also in the qualifiers for the 1994 World Cup (9-1). trust. #SUIISR pic.twitter.com/k6Hs6ohNPZ

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 28, 2023

With six points on the clock, Switzerland are at the top of their group, neck and neck with Romania, who got the better of Belarus (2-1). Note the good result of Andorra, which managed to bring back a point from its trip to Kosovo (1-1).

XI of the French Department (4-3-3): Maignan – Pavard, I. Konaté, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Griezmann, Camavinga, Rabiot – Kolo Muani, Giroud, Mbappé. Complainants: Areola (G), Samba (G), Koundé, Disasi, Todibo, Tchouameni, Y Fofana, K Thuram, Veretout, Coman, M Diaby, M Thuram. Absent : W. Fofana and Saliba (injured). Coach: Didier Deschamps (54, in office since July 2022), whose record is 90 wins, 28 draws and 21 losses.

the contract would have expired

Chelsea FC have extended the expiring contract with substitute goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. The 30-year-old has signed a new working document with an end date in the summer of 2026, the Blues announced on Monday. The London-born came to Stamford Bridge from Fulham on a free transfer in 2021 and has played one game for the Chelsea pros so far.

« It’s a privilege to be at a club like Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world and when I signed a few years ago I was delighted to be here and sign. To be here now and seeing how the club evolves and how we develop is fantastic and I can’t wait to stay with us for a few more years, » said Bettinelli, who has a quartet of goalkeepers with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy and Gabriel Slonina forming.

Betts is here to stay!

Marcus Bettinelli signed a new contract with the club today!

– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 27, 2023

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Mancini recommended Galatasaray

Nicolò Zaniolos’ €15m transfer from AS Roma to Galatasaray on February 8 ended one of the biggest transfer antics of the winter. The 23-year-old wanted a change, first rejected an offer from Bournemouth but then wanted, which the Giallorossi no longer accepted. Threatened by supporters, the 23-year-old attacking player took sick leave and left the Italian capital to finally reach an agreement with the Turkish record champions. In the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’, Zaniolo looks back on those weeks, is disappointed with his former club and talks about his future in the Süper Lig.

« I could talk for hours about broken promises, » said Zaniolo when asked about Roma, where he came in 2018 as a promising talent in Inter’s youth team and quickly became one of the Italy’s most promising (Site notre bureau spécialisé)ers – up to two cruciate ligaments. tears slowed him down. « They told me I was the spearhead. Instead, I was just a capital gain for them. For two years I was told the new contract was ready. In January last year I wanted to sign for a slightly lower salary because I was doing well in Rome and there were financial fair play issues. Now after so much talk I was fed up. If I must think about my departure, then the others must do the same.

It wasn’t just offers from Galatasaray and Bournemouth in January. In the media, Milan were always treated as an interested party, but could not meet Roma’s transfer demands and therefore offered a loan with an obligation to buy. Zaniolo, who also confirmed Fenerbahçe as an interested party, said: « Because I didn’t want to accept England’s offer, I was kicked out of the team and the fans got hold of me. I I found it very unfortunate. Roma gave me everything, thanks to Roma I won and I made my debut in the national team. My son was born there. Being called that (traitor; editor’s note) been a blow.

The Italy international also said he was disappointed with the behavior of his former team-mates: « I don’t want to name names, but they said we were like brothers and then they didn’t even say hello to me. » Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini (26) or left-back Leonardo Spinazzola (30) in the ‘Squadra Azzurra’, if called up, wouldn’t be a problem: « Maybe some people have problems with me, I don’t have any. Those who have a bad conscience know that.

TM Community: Turkey Forums / Italy Forums

AS Roma’s Zaniolos to Galatasaray: Mancini advised to move – back from Italy?

The fact that it ended up being Galatasaray is also down to Italy national coach Roberto Mancini: « I had to get back to business. So I spoke to Sérgio Oliveira, who was with me in Rome, and he told me said the environment is good and the championship is competitive. Then I called Coach Mancini and he also advised me to go because he thought I would do well there. And he was right. » Mancini himself coached the « Lions » in the 2013/14 season and won the Turkish Cup there.

He « obviously cannot guarantee that he will fulfill his contract with Galatasaray, which runs until 2027, » Zaniolo said. « But as long as I’m here, I’ll always do my best. » The left-handed player reportedly has a €35m release clause. In the event of a possible resale, Roma would receive a 20% share of the transfer profit (correction: the transfer fee was originally written here). If so, Italy would be a likely destination: « I’ll be back. » The ‘Gazzetta’ have concluded that Juventus, who have been swapped several times over the past few years, could be a possible next club for Zaniolo.

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