Ajax vs Chelsea Women's Champions League preview: Where to watch, starting line-ups

Ajax and Chelsea meet in the UEFA Wonen's Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday 19 March at Johann Cruijff ArenA.

What do you need to know

Ajax, the first Dutch team to make the group stage, seemed to be outsiders in a section with Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain and Roma, who had all reached the 2022/23 quarter-finals. But all three lost at Johann Cruijff ArenA as Ajax went through ahead of Bayern and Roma to become only the second Dutch quarter-finalists after Saestum in 2006/07. Having attracted an aggregate of about 50,000 spectators to their three home group wins, Ajax had already sold 34,200 tickets by Monday, putting the match on course to be the most-watched women's game ever in the Netherlands.

Chelsea themselves topped a tricky group ahead of Häcken, Paris FC and Real Madrid to continue their bid to win a first European title in Emma Hayes's last season in charge. To match Ajax's home record, Chelsea have been formidable in Champions League away games over the last couple of seasons, winning at Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, Häcken and Paris FC, and also drawing at Barcelona (though they needed a win to avoid a semi-final exit last year).

Despite Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel and Aniek Nouwen's long-term absences, and Millie Bright also yet to return having been out since November, the Blues still boast the star power of Lauren James among others, and have been boosted by the belated debut of Catarina Macario. However, new signings Nathalie Björn and Mayra Ramírez missed Friday's important 3-1 league win against Arsenal in front of well over 30,000 fans at Stamford Bridge, and remain out along with Maren Mjelde and Ann-Katrin Berger.

Ajax warmed up on Thursday with a Dutch Cup quarter-final defeat of their own youthful second-string squad, Romeé Leuchter scoring at hat-trick in the course of which she became the club's all-time top scorer. However, Sherida Spitse will be missing from the defence due to suspension. Ashleigh Weerden is out with a knee injury.

Form guide

Ajax
Last six games: WWWWWW
Last match: Jong Ajax 1-5 Ajax, 14/03, Dutch Cup quarter-finals
Where they stand: 2nd in Vrouwen Eredivisie, Dutch Cup semi-finals

Chelsea
Last six games: WWWWLW
Last match: Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal, 15/03, league
Where they stand: 1st in FA Women's Super League, FA Cup semi-finals, League Cup final

Squad changes

Ajax
In: None
Out: Roos van der Veen, Ashleigh Weerden

Chelsea
In: Nathalie Björn, Catarina Macario, Mayra Ramírez
Out: Cerys Brown, Mia Fishel, Jessie Fleming, Sam Kerr, Aniek Nouwen

Starting line-ups

Ajax: Van Eijk; Keijzer, Kardinaal, De Sanders, De Klonia; Noordam, Van Gool, Yohannes; Grant, Leuchter, T. Hoekstra

Chelsea: Hampton; Périsset, Carter, Buchanan, Charles; Nüsken, Leupolz, Cuthbert; Rytting Kaneryd, James, Reiten

View from the camps

Suzanne Bakker, Ajax coach: ''We have analysed several matches. Chelsea have many individual qualities, but with the players we have we can also create opportunities against them.

"The English league is the best in Europe, but in the group stage we also played against other top teams from their national leagues. Chelsea are most comparable to Paris Saint-Germain, given their individual qualities."

Emma Hayes, Chelsea manager: "They came through what some said was the group of death and to come through with strong results and strong performances – they play the Ajax way. We know we have to be wary of so many of their threats going forward, Leuchter down the middle and [Chastity] Grant on the right. But one of the things you get when you are experienced in this competition is the know-how to put as much focus on yourself first.”

“I’m excited to be in this arena, I saw pitchside the quality out there, I’m looking forward to the atmosphere. I know our players will be really excited about that.”

Regina van Eijk, Ajax goalkeeper: "Matches in the Johan Cruijff ArenA have been great so far. The record [ticket sales] gives a boost to what we can do and it is wonderful to have the supporters behind us. I enjoy it very much."

"It is a shame that we have to miss [Spitse]. We have a large selection of players who can be there when necessary. We will miss Spitse's leadership, her advice and the experience she can share with us. she gave us a lot of energy in training [on Monday]."

Erin Cuthbert, Chelsea midfielder: "it would mean everything to get to the final and go on and win it. But it’s all about a process, we are in a quarter-final now, two ties lie ahead, two tough games against a really good team who have more than proved themselves at this level. We are under no illusions, it is going to be a tough game."

Where is the 2024 UEFA Women's Champions League final being played?

San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao will stage the 2024 Women's Champions League final on Saturday 25 May at 18:00 CET.

The 50,000-plus capacity home of Bilbao's Athletic Club was built on the site of the old San Mamés, replacing the 100-year-old arena of the same name in 2013. Athletic Club women's team have played several games in the new stadium, attracting 48,121 fans for a 2019 cup tie against Atlético de Madrid, at the time a Spanish record.