- Ajax Amsterdam v Real Madrid, Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, 2045 hrs GMT
- Auxerre v AC Milan, Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, Auxerre, 2045 hrs GMT
Ajax Amsterdam v Real Madrid
Ajax may be a former European giant and one of only five bearers of the UEFA Champions League badge of honour but the pity was that they were placed in a group where 2 of the other three teams were also the Champions League badge of honour bearers.
Ajax are currently struggling in the third spot of this group but they are only one point behind 7-time European Champions AC Milan and a win against Jose Mourinho’s men will put them right back in the hunt for qualification for the knock out rounds. But
beating a rampant Real side may not be easy for Martin Jol’s men as Cristiano Ronaldo has been in red hot form for the Madrid giants along with a few others.
Ajax on the other hand have not been sparkling domestically as they are currently lying third in the Dutch Eredivisie and six points adrift of PSV Eindhoven, who occupy the top slot. Having lost three of their last five games that included one against Auxerre
in this competition, the Godenzonen may be short of confidence going into the match against the greatest side in Europe, given their achievements in the competition.
Ajax lost to Real in their opening fixture of this competition and they will have to turn things around if they are to keep their fortunes in their own hands and anything less than a win on Tuesday may well mean curtains for them in the competition.
Real Madrid on the other hand are a side that is packing a serious punch amongst their ranks and are on the back of a 5-1 mauling of Sporting de Gijon in their last fixture. Real are the form side in Spain this season are currently holding on to the top
slot in the Spanish La Liga holding off a Barcelona side that is also firing on all cylinders.
Ronaldo has scored 15 goals this season and is currently the top scorer for Madrid in the season but the positive for Ajax can be the fact that he has only scored once in the Champions League and with the home crowd behind them Ajax may be able to spring
a surprise.
Higuain and Sami Khedira have been ruled out for tonight’s clash but the Madridistas still are expected to be a handful for the Dutch giants.
Auxerre v AC Milan
In the other match of the group, 7-time European Champions will face off against AJ Auxerre of France and a win for the Rosseneris will secure their qualification to the next round if Ajax loses tonight against Madrid.
Milan’s opponents have lost all of their first leg matches in the competition so far and with Milan currently the form side in Italy it is difficult to see them losing this match despite playing away from home.
Auxerre only returned to winning ways in their last group fixture against Ajax and if there are to harbour any hopes of qualification they have to come up with the goods against Massimo Allegri’s side.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the player of the season for the Milan giants and is currently on a purple patch of form having scored in their last three games and will be looking to score against their French opponents.
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