UWCL Preivew: Quarter-final first leg kick-off

The UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals first leg kicks off, with BK Häcken hosting PSG, Chelsea taking on Ajax, Lyon taking on Benfica and Brann hosting reigning champions, Barcelona.

The UEFA Women's Champions League is streamed live and free on DAZN, with select games also available on YouTube

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Ajax v Chelsea

Chelsea advanced through to the quarter-finals after finishing at the top of Group D, remaining undefeated throughout their group stage campaign. Their opponent, the Dutch side, Ajax, finished second in Group C after recording three wins. 

The Blues, who were knocked out of the UEFA Women's Champions League last season by eventual champions, Barcelona, will have 35,000 fans at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam looking to get their home side across the line in the first leg. 

Emma Hayes will be looking to finish her time with Chelsea on a high note before departing for the head coach role with USA, as the Blues look to make it back-to-back appearances in the UWCL semi-finals.

Ajax v Chelsea
Date: Wednesday, 20th March
Time: 4:45am AEDT 
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Benfica v Lyon

Ellie Carpenter's Lyon breezed through the group stage, topping Group B with four wins and two draws to book their post in the quarter-finals. Their opposition, the Portuguese side, Benfica, advanced through after finishing second in Group A, even managing to take points off Barcelona in the final group stage game.

Ellie Carpenter (12 Olympique Lyonnais) in action during the UEFA Womens Champions League match St Polten vs Olympique Lyon at NV Arena St Polten (Tom Seiss/ SPP)
Ellie Carpenter in action during the UEFA Women's Champions League match St Polten vs Olympique Lyon at NV Arena St Polten (Photo: Tom Seiss/ SPP via Imago)

Lyon will be in for a tough task when they travel to Lisbon after Benfica managed to record a 4-4 draw with Barcelona in their last UWCL home game. Benfica's Jéssica Silva will come up against her former side.

Despite Lyon's recent French Women's Cup exit, the eight-time UWCL winners will be looking to get on the front foot in their first leg. 

Benfica v Lyon
Date: Wednesday, 20th March
Time: 7:00am AEDT 
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BK Häcken v PSG

Aivi Luik's BK Häcken will host Clare Hunt's Paris Saint-Germain, PSG booked their spot in the quarter-finals after finishing first in Group C after a frantic final matchday. Luik's Häcken are the first Damallesvenskan side to make it since the group stage was introduced in 2021/22, finishing second in Group D.

Hunt's PSG has been on song in the D1 in France and booked their spot in the French Women's Cup final, and they will be hoping to bring this momentum over to the UWCL, taking on a side, Häcken, who are currently still in pre-season.

Clare Hunt (15 Paris Saint Germain) during the UEFA Womens Champions League group stage match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain at FC Bayern Campus in Munich, Germany. (Sven Beyrich/SPP)
Clare Hunt during the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain at FC Bayern Campus in Munich, Germany. (Photo: Sven Beyrich/SPP via Imago)

Häcken has lost a notable figure in Elin Rubensson, with the Swedish midfielder joining Houston Dash in the NWSL. While PSG has the likes of Baltimore, Katoto and Chawinga looking to help the French side through to the semi-finals.

BK Häcken v PSG
Date: Thursday, 21st March
Time: 4:45am AEDT 
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Brann v Barcelona

Larissa Crummer's SK Brann will have the tough task of taking on two-time champions, and the reigning UEFA Women's Champions League winners, FC Barcelona, in their quarter-final tie. 

Brann impressed during the group stage, advancing after finishing second in Group B, with Crummer on the scoresheet for the Norwegian side. Brann, who only just kicked off their Toppserien season last week, will be taking on a Barcelona side that sits undefeated after 20 games at the top of Liga F.

Brann v Barcelona
Date: Thursday, 21st March
Time: 7:00am AEDT 
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