Emma Hayes says she is "not thinking about fairytales" as Chelsea prepare to face Barcelona in the Women's Champions League semi-finals.

Hayes leaves Chelsea at the end of the season to manage the US women's national team and is yet to win the competition with Chelsea.

Barcelona, who host Chelsea on Saturday, beat the Blues in the 2021 final and in last season's semi-finals.

"They are world class with unbelievable players," said Hayes.

"But I'm not thinking about fairytales. [Barcelona] have been a top team in Europe in recent years. They are deserving of all the accolades they have achieved but it's a football match. There are two legs. All our job has been is to get ourselves in a position to get here in the competition."

Hayes says it was inevitable Chelsea would have to take on Barcelona at some point in the competition

"We're happy for it to be our turn in the semi-finals. We understand the team and the opponent," she added.

Chelsea are boosted by the availability of captain Millie Bright, who has been absent since November, and England forward Lauren James, who missed Wednesday's 3-0 WSL victory over Aston Villa.

Hayes said Barcelona have done "amazing things" but hopes other English sides can challenge more regularly in Europe soon.

"Listen, I think Barcelona's team will go down in history as one of the greatest women's teams ever," said Hayes. "Barcelona is a generation that deserves the credit they get. They've done amazing things on the pitch. People don't realise how hard it is to play against them."