Real Madrid vs. Ajax Amsterdam: Key battles on the pitch – UEFA Champions League special
Real Madrid will host Ajax Amsterdam in a UEFA Champions League group stage encounter at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, September 27.
Los Blancos went head-to-head against the Amsterdammers in Europe’s primary club competition last season and emerged victorious in both of the group stage encounters.
These two sides have a rich history in Europe. The Madrid giants have won nine major European titles while the Eredivisie champions have four major European titles to their name.
Bettor.com takes a look at some of the key battles that will take place on the pitch.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kenneth-Vermeer-c20618
The talismanic Portuguese winger is undeniably one of the best players in the worlds – second only to Lionel Messi, many believe. Ronaldo is in supreme form this season – hardly a surprise now – scoring eight goals in all competitions thus far.
He will be looking to grab every opportunity that comes his way and keep Ajax goalkeeper, Kenneth Vermeer, on his toes throughout the match. The Portuguese ace will test the Amsterdammers shot-stopper with his long-range efforts.
Vermeer will have to deny Ronaldo from hitting the back of the net if he intends to keep this match close.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jan-Vertonghen-c17814
The French International arrived at Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2009. Although the striker was only 21 when he joined Los Blancos, he did well to adjust in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe and proved his worth upfront over the course
of two seasons.
The young striker performed impressively last term and his good form has not dropped a bit this season. The French ace has already scored four goals and provided two assists in all competitions and is eager to add more to his name.
Jan Vertonghen is regarded as one of the best central defenders playing in Eredivisie. However, the Belgian stopper has to perform at his best to restrict Benzema from adding his name to the score-sheet.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miralem-Sulejmani-c25985 vs. Alvaro Arbeloa
Sulejmani has performed impressively on the right flank and has remained a constant menace for his oppositions in the Dutch top flight.
The 22-year-old sustained a hamstring injury in their last Champions League encounter against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130, but recovered rapidly to represent his side in this crucial encounter. The Serbian ace will be hoping that he plays an important role for his
side in securing a result.
However, he will be up against a classy left-back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-c33030 Aguero and Diego Forlan in his two seasons at Santiago Bernabeu. It is unlikely that the 28-year-old will
face any problems dealing against Sulejmani.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Eriksen-c9074 vs. Xabi Alonso
The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the hottest young prospects, a product of the Amsterdammers fabled youth academy. He has performed exceptionally in the centre of the pitch under the leadership of Frank de Boer.
The youngster is in impressive form this season, providing four assists and scoring a lone goal as well. He will have to battle against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Xabi-Alonso-c37045 in the centre of the park for midfield domination.
Alonso joined the Madrid giants in the summer of 2009 following a successful five-season spell at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809. Although the deep lying playmaker has plenty of experience under his belt, Eriksen could still create some problems for him with his playmaking skills
and extreme pace.
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