Looking back on Chelsea’s UEFA Youth League campaign so far, it has been nothing short of exceptional. The Blues went unbeaten in the league stage, topping the table and securing our place in the knockout rounds with a string of impressive performances.

In the round of 32, we welcomed PSV Eindhoven to Cobham. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen put us ahead, only for Sami Bouhoudane to level for the Dutch side. After a 1-1 draw, the match went to penalties, where we held our nerve to win 7-6, booking our spot in the last 16.

With a place in the quarter-finals now up for grabs, our Under-19s travel to Spanish giants Real Madrid for a clash at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, which you can watch live for free on the Chelsea Official App and website.

Beyond the competition itself, the UEFA Youth League offers invaluable experience - European travel, high-stakes matches and the chance to learn how to perform under pressure. As the only English side remaining in the competition, we carry not only ambition but belief into this knockout round.

Ahead of the game, we spoke to Under-21s head coach Hudson, who also leads the Under-19s, to hear his thoughts on the upcoming challenge.

'I’m very excited!' Hudson began. 'It’s probably two of the best Under-19s teams in Europe, maybe even in the world, going head-to-head in a knockout game. There’s so much excitement and a real buzz around it.

'These are the matches you want to be involved in, as a player and as a member of staff. Big occasions, high stakes, top opposition. We can’t wait. Bring it on!'

Reflecting on our dramatic last-32 encounter with PSV, Hudson highlighted the resilience the Blues showed. Kavuma-McQueen’s opener was cancelled out by Bouhoudane before Chizaram Ezenwata received a red card, leaving the Blues with 10 men. Despite the set-back, the squad held strong and triumphed in the penalty shootout.

'It was very intense,' he continued. 'It was a high-quality game and I felt we were the better side overall. Even when things didn’t go our way, I believe we deserved to go through. Playing with 10 men for half an hour and then coming through on penalties says a lot about their character.

'I told the boys: “when you lift a trophy in May, you’ll look back on a night like this”. In any major competition, there’s usually a roadblock. That was ours. Playing with 10 men, digging in and holding our nerve in a shootout - we’ve come through stronger because of it.'

Within this squad, there is a close-knit bond that extends both on and off the pitch. The Under-19s combine the experience of our Under-21s players with a selection of our Under-18s stepping up to the challenge. But how well can they gel when they don’t play together week in, week out?

'They’re already a very close group,' Hudson added. 'Even in the group stages, when we won games, it wasn’t always easy. You have to suffer at times. Moments like the PSV match only strengthen that bond. Relationships in football, on and off the pitch, are crucial. It’s great to see the boys showing they want to fight for each other.'

Looking ahead to Real Madrid, Hudson remains focused on the challenge. The Spanish side reached the knockout stages with five wins and just one defeat in this season’s UEFA Youth League. They earned their spot in this round with a convincing 5-2 victory over Marseille, setting up the clash against us.

'Real Madrid are an excellent side,' he explained. 'They have a clear identity, both in and out of possession, and some fantastic individual players. I’m excited by the tactical battle. They’ll have a plan for us and we’ll have a plan for them. It’s about who can land the first tactical blow and who adapts best as the game evolves.

'These games are intense and often very evenly matched. Small details such as a single mistake, a moment of quality or even a bit of luck can decide it. But more than anything, it comes down to belief and composure. Pressure is a privilege. If you feel it, it means you’re in a moment that matters. We should embrace it, enjoy it and trust that we have the tools to handle it.'

As final preparations continue at Cobham, Hudson delivers his final message to the players ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s clash.

'I always say the same thing before every game: "good luck and enjoy it"! There’s a lot of detail and preparation that goes into these matches, but ultimately these are the moments we do the job for.

'Big nights, big challenges. Embrace the pressure, enjoy the occasion, trust yourselves. If we do that, we’ve got every chance of going through.'

Don't miss the action!

Chelsea Under-19s will be in action on Wednesday afternoon against Real Madrid in the UEFA Youth League. Kick-off is at 3pm UK time at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. Chelsea supporters around the world can watch the match live for free on the Chelsea Official App and website. To access the stream, either follow the Real Madrid vs Chelsea Under-19s Match Centre below or head to the homepage shortly before kick-off.