Ajax vs Chelsea Cesar Azpilicueta hail club youngsters after Champions League win

Cesar Azpilicueta hailed Chelsea's Champions League youngsters after they paralyzed Ajax in Amsterdam.

Adolescents Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi all began in the forcing Johan Cruyff arena.

They faced everything last season's semi-finalists could toss at them, before Michy Batshuayi rifled in the champ a little ways from time.

Batshuayi had previously missed a sitter from six yards out, but he converted a cross from fellow substitute Christian Pulisic to secure a 1-0 win and move Chelsea level on points with their hosts at the top of Group H.

The win was very important. We knew we were playing a tough team  they won both their previous games 3-0," said Blues skipper Azpilicueta.

We were confident in our game, we knew we had to play with high intensity, to be brave and to stop their attacking threat and I thought we did well.

"We created chances, apart for the first 20 minutes when we were under pressure.

I'm really pleased when we don't concede goals. We know we are playing against very good attacking players. They know how to play football.

We knew we had to work hard as a team and we did. Everybody worked very hard, the 11 starters and the subs.

Everyone is pushing everyone. It's important to be a team off the pitch because that gives everyone extra energy.

have the young lads playing in the Champions League in the capacity they are doing, with the quality they are showing, is massive.

"For them, the progression, to play at the level they are playing, is amazing.