Ajax v Chelsea LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and reaction as Nusken scores twice in big away win
Chelsea travel to Amsterdam for their quarter-final first leg against underdogs Ajax
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Your support makes all the difference.The climax of Emma Hayes’ dynasty is fast approaching and there is only one form that they will want that climax to take.
Much still needs to be done before Chelsea can ensure her final game is the Champions League final, but the manner of their quarter-final first leg victory over Ajax showed that they would be fitting finalists.It wasn’t pretty; it definitely wasn’t easy.
That, however, is the crucial part. Chelsea were tested, they struggled to find their best rhythm, but they were patient and it paid dividends. Follow all the reaction below. Get the latest match odds here.
16’ - Ajax 0-0 Chelsea
Lily Yohannes goes in late with a slide tackle after a misplaced pass and that’s a booking - and a significant one. She’ll miss the second leg back in London, suspended.
Big chance for Lauren James just afterwards as Ajax fail to clear their lines and the ball is nodded back to her - but a swiping half-volley skims well away from goal.
12’ - Ajax 0-0 Chelsea
Hoekstra winds through a couple of challenges, shifts the ball to her right foot and curls one on target - but it’s routine for Hampton to get down to and smother. A second Champions League start for the Blues for the goalkeeper tonight.
A clean sheet here would go a long way to seeing the Blues progress to the last four - the winners from this tie will face Brann or Barcelona in the semis.
8’ - Ajax 0-0 Chelsea
So close! Yohannes does brilliantly to find space and tee up Leuchter - and her first-time shot beats Hampton and rebounds out off the post!
Woodwork for Ajax but no closer. Reiten attacks down the right up the other end of the pitch but her attempted cut-back is intercepted.
Openings at both ends in this early spell of the match.
4’ - Ajax 0-0 Chelsea
A first corner in the first couple of minutes; it’s too long for a headed chance but Kaneryd keeps it alive with some smart footwork at the far post.
James is then played in down the left channel and her cross is eventually half-volley wide by Perisset.
Couple of half-decent openings for the visitors.
1’ - Ajax 0-0 Chelsea
We are underway! Early mishap almost at the back but Chelsea clear their lines. Suzanne Bakker already out directing her team from the touchline.
Ajax vs Chelsea - LIVE
Anthems done, teams out, handshakes done. We are ready to go in Amsterdam as Chelsea look to continue their path towards that elusive European trophy.
Ajax vs Chelsea - LIVE
Just a few minutes to kick-off at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Emma Hayes: ‘It wasn’t right’ to call player-to-player relationships ‘inappropriate’
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says she “didn’t think it was right to use the term inappropriate” when describing player-to-player relationships within the same squad, adding that her comments this week had been “blown up in an unnecessary way”.
On Thursday, Hayes said player-to-player relationships within the same dressing room can lead to challenges to managers. Hayes made the comments while responding to questions surrounding the topic of coach-to-player relationships, which has come into focus this week after Leicester manager Willie Kirk was suspended by the club amid allegations of a relationship with a player in the Leicester team.
During her answer, Hayes said: “Player-coach relationships - they’re inappropriate, player-to-player relationships are inappropriate.”
The Chelsea squad contains players who are in relationships with each other, including Jess Carter. The England and Chelsea defender is in a relationship with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
Emma Hayes: ‘It wasn’t right’ to call player-to-player relationships ‘inappropriate’
The Chelsea manager clarified her comments after facing criticism on social media
Ajax vs Chelsea - LIVE
Chelsea forward Erin Cuthbert still finds herself dreaming of a first Champions League trophy despite boss Emma Hayes’ firm reality-rooted approach to the competition.
The Blues, who face Ajax at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday night in the first of their two-leg last-eight encounter, remain on course to become just the second English side to complete a quadruple – with Arsenal Women having done so in 2007 – when Hayes was a member of the Gunners’ coaching staff.
The European club title is the one accolade that has so far eluded Hayes, who after winning 15 trophies in charge of Chelsea will depart at the end of the season to take up her new role as head coach of the United States women’s national team.
Erin Cuthbert still dreaming of first Champions League trophy with Chelsea
The Blues face Ajax at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday night in the first of their two-leg last-eight encounter.
Ajax vs Chelsea - LIVE
Sherida Spitse isn’t in the lineup for Ajax tonight but the club captain said ahead of the game:
“Ajax also want to play football and that we are not scared. We are playing with - maybe you can say - with a little bit of attitude, because that is Ajax.”
Emma Hayes pointed out Spitse’s talents as an example of the threat Ajax pose.
“I know Spitse doesn’t play tomorrow but I’m a big fan of hers, I think she’s a marvellous football player. I think they are a club that have serious ambitions in Europe, they’ve demonstrated that so far. Because we’ve played them before we know how good they are so we certainly won’t be going into it with our eyes shut.”
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