CL Preview: Juventus-Ajax
11/22/2004 10:17:00 PM
An already qualified Juventus side will host Ajax at the Delle Alpi stadium of Turin for the 5th matchday of the Champions League.
BACKGROUND
The Italian league leaders have already guaranteed themselves qualification and the top spot in Group C and will therefore not have much motivation for this match apart from trying to keep a clean sheet and remain at full points in the standings. Also the bianconeri will also have their heads on next Sunday’s clash against Inter in Milan.
On the other hand, Ajax desperately need the three points to still stand a chance of qualifying to the next stage. A win would at worst keep the Dutch side three points away from Bayern Munich and the qualification will be decided in the direct encounter in the last match day.
However, Fabio Capello has already stated that the Old Lady will not give Ajax any favour and Koeman’s side will have to fight hard to earn the three points at stake. In fact, the Juve mentor will field a near full-team as he doesn’t want his side to lose its second consecutive match following last Friday’s Coppa Italia defeat at the hands of Serie A rock-bottom side Atalanta.
Ajax are not going through their best season in recent years as they lie in fourth place, 10 points behind leaders PSV. Still, the Amsterdam side was able to win convincingly in their last game as they defeated away from home last-placed De Graafschap 5-0.
Juventus are doing better than expected this season in all the main competitions as they have gained a 6-point advantage over second placed Milan in Serie A and another 6-point lead over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
The bianconeri will field most first-team regulars except for Del Piero and Zebina, who have not been called-up, and Cannavaro and Emerson who will be rested.
Ajax
The Dutch side will play with just one striker and fill-up the midfield with many midfielders to try and contrast the bianconeri and surprise them on the counter attack.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
The Swedish forward will try to impress in front of his home crowd as he faces his recent past which helped him gain fame and visibility in these past years. Will he be able to score the goal of the ex?
Rafael Van der Vaart(Ajax)
The most creative and dangerous player of his side will want to win this game to help Ajax but also to defeat his personal enemy: Ibrahimovic.
PROBABLE FORMATIONS
Juventus (4-4-2):
Buffon – Birindelli, Thuram, Montero, Zambrotta – Camoranesi, Blasi, Appiah, Nedved – Ibrahimovic, Zalayeta
Ajax (4-5-1):
Stekelenburg – Trabelsi, Heitinga, De Jong, Grygera – Pienaar, Van der Vaart, Obodai, Sneijder, Mitea - Rosales
11/22/2004 10:17:00 PM
An already qualified Juventus side will host Ajax at the Delle Alpi stadium of Turin for the 5th matchday of the Champions League.
BACKGROUND
The Italian league leaders have already guaranteed themselves qualification and the top spot in Group C and will therefore not have much motivation for this match apart from trying to keep a clean sheet and remain at full points in the standings. Also the bianconeri will also have their heads on next Sunday’s clash against Inter in Milan.
On the other hand, Ajax desperately need the three points to still stand a chance of qualifying to the next stage. A win would at worst keep the Dutch side three points away from Bayern Munich and the qualification will be decided in the direct encounter in the last match day.
However, Fabio Capello has already stated that the Old Lady will not give Ajax any favour and Koeman’s side will have to fight hard to earn the three points at stake. In fact, the Juve mentor will field a near full-team as he doesn’t want his side to lose its second consecutive match following last Friday’s Coppa Italia defeat at the hands of Serie A rock-bottom side Atalanta.
Ajax are not going through their best season in recent years as they lie in fourth place, 10 points behind leaders PSV. Still, the Amsterdam side was able to win convincingly in their last game as they defeated away from home last-placed De Graafschap 5-0.
Juventus are doing better than expected this season in all the main competitions as they have gained a 6-point advantage over second placed Milan in Serie A and another 6-point lead over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
The bianconeri will field most first-team regulars except for Del Piero and Zebina, who have not been called-up, and Cannavaro and Emerson who will be rested.
Ajax
The Dutch side will play with just one striker and fill-up the midfield with many midfielders to try and contrast the bianconeri and surprise them on the counter attack.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus)
The Swedish forward will try to impress in front of his home crowd as he faces his recent past which helped him gain fame and visibility in these past years. Will he be able to score the goal of the ex?
Rafael Van der Vaart(Ajax)
The most creative and dangerous player of his side will want to win this game to help Ajax but also to defeat his personal enemy: Ibrahimovic.
PROBABLE FORMATIONS
Juventus (4-4-2):
Buffon – Birindelli, Thuram, Montero, Zambrotta – Camoranesi, Blasi, Appiah, Nedved – Ibrahimovic, Zalayeta
Ajax (4-5-1):
Stekelenburg – Trabelsi, Heitinga, De Jong, Grygera – Pienaar, Van der Vaart, Obodai, Sneijder, Mitea - Rosales
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