UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid vs Ajax Preview
Real Madrid will seek to utilize their 2-1 victory in the Dutch capital when Ajax visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday for leg two of this UCL tie. Interestingly, Los Blancos were fortunate to escape Amsterdam with the victory in leg one after being dominated by a young Ajax side for most of the match.
At the moment, Madrid are arguably competing for only one trophy. The whites were eliminated by fierce rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and pegged back 12 points by the same in the league. All in one week. However, Tuesday provides an opportunity for the European champions to bounce back, like only they know how.
On the other hand, their visitors are on fire. Since the leg one defeat to Real, Erik ten Hag’s men have won all three of their matches. Furthermore, they outscored their opponents 13-1 and progressed to the final of the KNVB Cup. Lucky Ajax will no doubt be confident of grabbing an away goal or two in the Spanish capital.
Team News
Madrid will be without team captain Sergio Ramos after the defender received a two-match ban for intentionally picking up a yellow card. As a result, Nacho Fernandez will deputize alongside Rafael Varane in defense.
Elsewhere, Lucas Vasquez should return to the starting eleven. The Spanish forward was rested by Santiago Solari for Saturday’s El Clasico defeat. The Argentine instead preferring Bale, who failed to make the most of it.
Meanwhile their opponents are likely to field the same starting lineup from the first leg. Although perhaps with slightly different tactics due to the danger the whites pose in their home stadium.
Once again relying on the talent of defender Matthijs de Ligt and midfielder Frenkie de Jong, ten Hag will seek to out-perform their Spanish hosts. Feeding the ball to Dušan Tadić and creating chances for his side.
Lineups and Prediction
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Reguilon; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Vinicius, Benzema, Lucas
Ajax: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico; De Jong, Schone; Neres, Van de Beek, Ziyech; Tadic
Whereas Solari’s men have lost their previous three matches at home, a fourth one to a motivated Ajax is not in the realm of the unlikely. Especially considering how low back-to-back Clasico defeats must have brought team morale.
Not to mention scoring only once in those aforementioned losses. It will be the devil to pay if the kings of Europe are eliminated on Tuesday, almost certainly guaranteeing a trophy-less season.
For that reason, it is probably the safer bet to pick the Spanish giants over their opponents. One has to believe the thirteen time champions will not falter once again. Not in the Champions league. Their competition.
Regardless, Ajax will not go down easily. After having Real on the ropes for most of the first leg, they will know they have the potential to eliminate them. Expect a close and entertaining match with experience making the difference.
Real Madrid 2 – 1 Ajax
Photo credit to championsloungeamsterdamarena via Flickr
