Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso expects tough game against Ajax
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso claims that his side's UEFA Champions League clash with Dutch side Ajax will make for a tough game.
The Spanish giants have already booked their place in the last 16 of the competition and are eager to maintain their unbeaten start to the season across all competitions and ensure that they finish at the top of their group as to avoid playing another group
winner in the first knockout stage.
As Ajax are looking to grab the other place in the next phase of the tournament, 2010 FIFA World Cup winner Alonso is expecting a difficult match.
At a press conference, he told reporters: "It will be a tough game. As coach (Jose Mourinho) has said, there is still much to achieve for Ajax. They are still in the fight to qualify for the second round of the Champions League. This race is of fundamental
importance for them.
"We want to get a positive result and finish first in the group. In my experience the first place is important. We also know that Ajax at home are much stronger than they are in away games. For us it is a great experience to play at the Amsterdam Arena.
There is also the history of Ajax and what they have done in the seventies."
Madrid are currently leading Group G with 10 points from their first four games against Ajax (a 2-0 home win), Auxerre (a 1-0 away victory) and the double-header against AC Milan (a 2-0 win at the Bernabeu and a 2-2 draw at the San Siro).
Milan are currently in second place with five points, Ajax have four and Auxerre have three, and with two games to go any of those three teams can still join Mourinho's men in the next phase.
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