Europa League: Anderlecht vs. Ajax Amsterdam – Preview
Belgian Jupiler League reigning champions, RSC Anderlecht, will take on the Dutch Eredivisie giants AFC Ajax Amsterdam, in their Europa League Round of 32 double header’s first leg at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/RSC-Anderlecht-c40394
The Purple & White qualified for the UEFA Champions League play-offs, but could not manage to claim a win in their two-legged match against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FK-Partizan-c39320, as both the matches ended in 2–2 draws. The Serbian outfit eventually managed to win in the Penalty shootout
and the Belgian side earned their place in the Europa League round of 32.
The Sporting were aiming to qualify for the Europe’s most prestigious tournament, but the Belgian giants were compelled to exit from the tournament. The Paars-wit will now look to achieve better results in the Europa League.
Anderlecht are having a supreme run in the Jupiler League this season. With four matches left to play in the season, the home side are topping the table. The Sporting gloves man, Silvio Porto, is having a marvellous time, as he has not conceded a goal in
the league for 750 minutes.
The Belgian side will be hoping that their domestic form remains intact when they face the Dutch outfit in the Europa League knock out phase. Team manager, Ariel Jacobs, will be hoping that Porto claims a clean sheet in this home fixture that can give his
side advantage in their second tie against Ajax.
The 26-year-old midfielder, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Guillaume-Gillet-c15330, knows the importance of their upcoming Europa League encounter. Gillet said, “The match with Ajax is another important one on our schedule and I think it will be a different kind of match. Ajax will try to score
a goal here and we will also have home advantage. That should make it more enjoyable for the spectators.”
AFC Ajax Amsterdam
The Amsterdammers finished second in the Eredivisie and qualified for the Champions League qualifying round. The Dutch giants were aiming to reach the Round of 16 of the Europe’s most prestigious club tournament. They played impressively in the qualifying
round and in the play-offs stage. However, the Dutch side failed to pass the group stage, as they were drawn in one of the toughest group with the likes of AC Milan and Real Madrid.
De Amsterdammers progressed to the last 32 in the Europa League last term, but Serie A side Juventus ended their quest. De Joden will be looking to emerge victorious and go one-step further this year. These two sides went head-to-head last year in the Europa
league group stage. Ajax managed to secure a point playing away from home but they were beaten 3–1 in front of their home crowd.
The Amsterdammers defender, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jan-Vertonghen-c17814, is looking forward for their upcoming clash against Anderlecht. Vertonghen said, “Last year it was very special to play against Anderlecht. Therefore, I was delighted with the draw this time around. It will be
a good game and the best opponents for us. Lukaku is a very strong and very quick player. We will have to find a good way of stopping him and Boussoufa. They are the spearheads for Anderlecht.”
Team news
RSC Anderlecht
The Belgian outfit do not have any significant injuries.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AFC-Ajax-c38228 Amsterdam
Bruna Silva suffered from a dislocated shoulder during their training camp last month. The Amsterdammers will certainly miss Silva in their backline.
Players to watch
Anderlecht striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Romelu-Lukaku-c31672, will be a major threat for the visitors. It will not be an easy job for the Amsterdammers to tie down the young prolific striker.
Ajax prolific playmaker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-c9045 Erikson, will be the key player for the Amsterdammers. He will give the much-needed assistance at the centre of the pitch, if they want to achieve a good result.
Prediction
It will be a tough game, as both sides have the potential to take the game away from their opponents. It will be hard fought 1–1 for the home side.
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