Champions League Match Preview: Barcelona vs Ajax
Venue: Camp Nou
Probable line ups:
Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Adriano; Busquets, Fàbregas, Iniesta; Sánchez, Messi, Neymar
Ajax (4-3-3): Vermeer; Van Rhijn, Moisander, Denswil, Boilesen; Poulsen, Schone, Serero; Bojan, Sig?órsson, Fischer
Barcelona welcome Dutch giants AFC Ajax at the Camp Nou for their UEFA Champions League opening group stage match. This meeting will be the first competitive match between the two historic clubs who have enjoyed success in European football. Tonight’s game will be a battlefield, with each team trying their best to outwit the other.
Barca maybe the favourites to win tonight, but Frank De Boer’s side looks more promising and well established with their redefined team and believe they have a decent chance to outclass the Catalans with their tactical master plan. Four time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, will join Brazilian sensation Neymar upfront in the attack along with Alexis Sanchez.
“We’ll do our best so that Messi and Neymar don’t play comfortably”- Frank De Boer, Ajax Manager.
Barca’s performance under Gerado Tata Martino has been satisfying but still under progress as he looks forward to produce new, redefined tactics to once again establish Barca in Europe’s elite. Barcelona are not defensively strong as they conceded twice in the last 10 minutes in their Spanish league match against Sevilla, but managed to score a winner from Alexis Sanchez to beat Sevilla 3-2 on Saturday. This fragile defence of Barca could be enough for Frank’s boys to conquer the Catalans. This match also marks the return of ex-Barca player Bojan and Barca manager Tata’s Champions League debut.
De Amsterdammers have remained strong even after the sale of Christian Eriksen, Kevin Strootman, Miralem Sulejmani and Toby Alderweireld. Although Ajax and Barcelona have shared common football philosophies throughout history, they have never played in a competitive match besides club friendlies. All eyes will be on the Lancers Danish winger, Viktor Fischer, after he turned down offers from Europe’s top clubs to join Ajax. The lad is technically gifted and makes fine crosses and accurate passes beside creating spaces for his team mates. Club captain Siem de Jong had suffered a collapsed lung in August but made his return to the pitch over the weekend. Although he is fit, sources say he would not be able to play 90 minutes.
Coming to the Catalan squad, Jordi Alba is sidelined with a hamstring injury, which leaves Brazilian Adriano in charge of the left flank. Dani Alves will operate at right back while Pique and Mascherano will provide the central defensive partnership. Carles Puyol and Afellay are sidelined with knee and thigh injuries respectively. Moving onto midfield, Sergio Busquets will continue at the pivot along with Cesc Fabregas and Iniesta. In the attacking zone, the budding Messi-Neymar partnership will set to continue with either Sanchez or Pedro at the right wing position.
Predicted Score: Barcelona 2-0 Ajax