Chelsea 1-2 Barcelona: The Emma Hayes chapter is coming to an end, but she will be a continued character for Chelsea.

Emma Hayes’ final bow at Stamford Bridge did not end the way it was meant to, but like most great shows there was one common antagonist.

Chelsea were perfectly set up heading into the second leg after Erin Cuthbert struck the sole goal in Barcelona to hand the Spanish giants their first home defeat in five years.

It was a moment that boosted the hope of potentially seeing Hayes’ final game as manager of Chelsea being a Champions League final in Bilbao.

And for the second leg, the 16 players in blue could not have done much better but in the end, found themselves inches away from progressing against Barcelona.

The Blaugranes have shown that they are often the team that have been able to turn the fine margins in their favour, especially Ballon D’or winner Aitana Bonmati.

She was the superstar in this Champions League semi-final and shone brightest on a field full of superstars. The Spanish technician buzzed around the pitch and crept into spaces that caused Chelsea issues.

One of her ventures happened in the 25^th minute, when she floated behind Melanie Leuploz, then shifted past Niamh Charles before hitting a right-footed shot that spun off Kadeisha Buchanan and agonisingly past Hannah Hampton.

It brought the away section to life, as well as small pockets of the home crowd that were supporting Barcelona but the deflected shot was the first of a series of unfortunate events for Hayes and her side.

Chelsea were still robust despite seeing their advantage slip and continued to pose a threat, especially through Lauren James, their own mercurial talent.

She wasn’t as constantly involved as Bonmati, who opened up Chelsea's defence with a backheel moments after the opener, but the Englishwoman showed a coolness on the ball.

James often dropped deep to help her team relieve some of the pressure but her most dangerous action of the game happened when she ran in behind to set up Leupolz, who cannoned the crossbar with the goal gaping.

Chelsea were able to produce a constant threat on the counter-attack, with Erin Cuthbert also having two chances to recreate her Johan Cruyff Stadium magic.

She sliced both the chances and Cata Coll was yet to be tested until her fingertips were the difference between Catarina Macario levelling and not.

With Chelsea still able to forge chances, despite Barcelona’s hold of the ball, it showed Hayes had mastered her game plan but what she could not prepare for, but was aware of, was the referee’s eagerness to show a card.

Hayes said: "Even Barcelona players said to us they knew the referee was helpful for them. I was surprised when she was selected as she’s known for easy cards.”

At times Chelsea were forced to put their body on the line or snap into challenges and when Buchanan clipped Salma Paralluelo it was a clear yellow.

And it was only five minutes later when she saw red, and Chelsea’s positive start to the second half, which saw Sjoeke Nusken clip the post, quickly became disastrous.

It was a brave call to make in a defining point of the UWCL season by Iuliana Demetrescu, especially when replays showed that the Canadian got a flick on the ball.

Hayes continues: “Even Barcelona players said to us they knew the referee was helpful for them."

"I didn't think it was a foul let alone a yellow card. We felt we didn't get the opportunity to lose it [the game]. That was taken away.

"I thought that was the worst decision in UEFA Women's Champions League history. I’m gutted for [the players]. We were robbed.

"It’s almost like I’m stood there and I’ve looked at the fourth official and said ‘Surely that will be checked?' The toughest thing to take is that we didn’t lose it.

“The combination with the crowd and players was driving us and the players felt really confident.

"So when you get such a shocking official decision, there's nothing you can do about it. It's hard enough against 11 of them but when you've got 10 it is virtually impossible."

 

VAR could not intervene and Barcelona could sense the tie sway, Chelsea’s players found themselves just off as they stepped up to try and intercept Barca’s play.

But like most of the game, and even with the fewer players on the pitch, the Blues kept Barca from testing Hampton until a clumsy tackle by Ashley Lawrence on Bonmati in the box gave them a free sight of goal from 12 yards.

VAR could overturn the decision if they wanted to, but kept with the Romanian referee’s decision, and Hayes was aware of Bonmati’s intelligence to win the penalty.

Hayes said: “She’s an amazing player Bonmatí, because Ashley [Lawrence] is on the outside of her, she’s clever, Aitana [Bonmatí], it’s clever, she leaves her leg there.”

Fridolina Rolfo converted the penalty and it dented Chelsea’s last bit of hope, even if the crowd were determined not to let it drop.

For too long Stamford Bridge has been more associated with toxicity and anger than hope and support but it was different.

The Bridge was sold out and the only moments of discontent were shown to the referee and Barcelona players in an attempt to help the home team.

The atmosphere had a different feel to what you would expect in the WSL, with the players walking out to raptures at the start.

Every substitute was roared on and none more so than Guro Reitens and Millie Bright, who was making her first appearance since November.

The centre-back was chucked on upfront in a last ploy to unsettle Barca’s defence, but it was to no avail as Chelsea fell to a familiar foe again in the Champions League.

After the final whistle, the yellow shirts merged together in a celebratory huddle, while the dejected Blues only came together to cheer Hayes farewell.

She was deflated, but this time she was surrounded by admiration.

When she made her managerial debut at Stamford Bridge, only 4,000 fans turned up, compared to the 40,000 that stuck by her every side on Saturday.

Chelsea didn’t progress and Hayes has failed to deliver the only trophy that has eluded her during her time in west London, but this occasion wasn’t possible without her work throughout her 11 years in charge.

And the Stamford Bridge crowd showed that on Saturday.