Chelsea will play Ajax in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, with defending champions Barcelona potential opponents in the semis.
Emma Hayes’ side will play the first leg of the last-eight tie in the Netherlands on March 19 or 20 before hosting the second the following week.
The winner will then over two legs in April face the victors of the quarter-final between Barca – 3-2 winners against Wolfsburg in the 2022-23 final for their second title – and Norwegian outfit Brann.
👀 Who will make it to Bilbao? #UWCL || #UWCLdraw pic.twitter.com/sFVHHlXgBY
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) February 6, 2024
Chelsea, whose best run in the competition came when they were runners-up in 2021, losing 4-0 to Barca in the final, are aiming for glory in what is the final season of Hayes’ lengthy tenure before she steps down as boss to take charge of the United States national team.
The Blues were unbeaten as they topped Group D, which also featured Hacken, Paris FC and Real Madrid, while Ajax were second in Group C.
The other quarter-finals see record eight-time champions Lyon face Benfica and Paris St Germain take on Hacken.
The final is set to take place at Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames on May 25.