Chelsea vs Ajax

This campaign marks Chelsea’s 20th appearance in the Champions League, having returned to the competition for the first time since 2022/23, when they reached the quarter-finals. Under Enzo Maresca, the Londoners are re-establishing their European pedigree, fresh off winning the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League with a 4–1 victory over Real Betis in the final. The Blues have been dominant in continental competition lately, winning 13 of their last 15 European matches (L2) and remaining unbeaten in 15 home league phase/group-stage fixtures (W11 D4). They have scored in their last 17 European games, and none of their last 50 have ended goalless—a testament to their attacking consistency. They will be looking to build on their momentum in Europe as they host Ajax at Stamford Bridge on Matchday 3, while aiming for back-to-back Champions League victories, following a 1–0 win over Benfica on Matchday 2. The last time these two sides met produced unforgettable drama. Their only previous encounters came in the 2019/20 group stage, when Chelsea edged a 1–0 win in Amsterdam before a wild 4–4 draw in London, a night remembered for Reece James’ equaliser and Ajax finishing with nine men. That draw remains one of the most chaotic matches in modern European history. Meanwhile, Chelsea boasts a strong record against Dutch opposition, remaining unbeaten in all four meetings (W3 D1), including a double victory over Feyenoord (3–1 home and away) in the 1999/2000 second group stage. João Pedro is expected at the attacking end of Chelsea’s 4—2—3—1 setup.

This season marks Ajax’s 19th Champions League campaign, a record they share with PSV Eindhoven. Meanwhile, their form has collapsed — five straight European defeats and six losses in their last seven Champions League group/league phase games (W1). In addition, they have endured a miserable run against English sides—winless in their last 11 meetings (D2 L9)—since their 1–0 triumph at Tottenham in the 2018/19 semi-final first leg, a tie they ultimately lost on away goals. The Dutch giants have also failed to score in their last five matches versus Premier League opposition, conceding 11 in that span. Nevertheless, they will be desperate to register their first point — and their first goal — in this season’s competition following successive defeats to Inter (0–2) and Marseille (0–4). Luckily, their 4–0 defeat in Marseille was just their fourth loss in 20 away matches in the competition proper (W11 D5). Ajax could appear with Weghorst, Moro and Oliver Edvardsen at the attacking end of a 4—3—3 setup.