Football Update: UEFA Champions League Preview- Ajax Amsterdam vs. AC Milan
AC Milan
AC Milan has been a perennial Champions league contender. The club has been the most successful club in the competition this decade with two trophies and a runners-up medal. Rossoneri also finished semi-finalists once while making numerous quarter final
appearances. Things have gone downhill following their 2007 final triumph over Liverpool. The club failed to qualify for the competition in 2008/09 season, while last season they were humiliated by Manchester United 7-2 on aggregate in the first knock out
stage.
With new season comes new hope and AC Milan will look to advance deep in to competition having acquired the services of Robinho and Ibrahimovic. The club is still to face a Mourinho inspired Real Madrid home and away and defeats in both matches isn’t out
of question. Milan must aim for maximum points against Ajax and Auxerre to guarantee a second round berth.
Ajax Amsterdam
Ajax is not your usual European Minnow. The club held legendary status in its glory days when likes of Van Basten and Johan Cruyff played for the club. Ajax has four UEFA champions League trophies to its name, the last final victory coming against AC Milan
in 1995 final. The Eredivisie league contenders have a host of talented players that can trouble any team on their day. Their first outing of the season however ended in a 3 – 0 score line. Real Madrid bombarded the Dutch goal with shot after shot. Indeed
it was the superb goal keeping of Maarten Stekelenburg that saved them an even more humiliating score line. The Dutch must go for maximum points at home if they are to dream of a knockout stage berth.
Ajax has made an impressive start to their Eredivisie campaign. The club is still undefeated after 7 rounds of football and sits atop the rankings with 17 points. The club must translate their league form on to continental stage.
Key Players
Ibrahimovic
The latest reports in Italy suggest that Ronaldinho is set to be benched. Alexandre Pato is still out injured so Ibrahimovic will have to step up and get on the score sheet for Milan to win. The forward is likely to partner Filippo Inzaghi up front in a
4-4-2 or a diamond formation. The Swede has been in impressive form with 4 goals in 6 appearances. Ibra scored a brace in his last European outing against Auxerre and will look to continue his rich vein of form.
Luis Suarez
AC Milan has a shaky backline that can be broken with quick passing and counter attacks. Luis Suarez will be a constant thorn in the Rossoneri backline. Suarez has been in stunning form this season, scoring an astonishing 6 goals in just 3 appearances. The
striker must score and set up his teammates for Ajax to have any realistic chance of winning the tie.
Prediction
AC Milan has not had the brightest of starts in Serie A or the Champions League. The club won their opening Champions League tie against Auxerre by a 2 – 0 score line but the performance was far from satisfactory. The midfield in particular was woeful, as
shown by some slack passing throughout. Indeed, it was the Ronaldinho-Ibrahimovic partnership that saved them the blushes. Ajax has been impressive of late but the club lacks the European experience that is an invaluable asset in the Champions League. It promises
to be an absorbing encounter with plenty of chances at both ends; however, Milan’s years of experience will win them the fixture 2-1 score line.
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