Frank de Boer’s side would be gunning to register their first win in the Europe’s primary club competition when they take on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-c31294 Mancini’s men on Wednesday.
In the latest group stages game of UEFA Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam will lock horns against Manchester City at Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday, October 24.
Ajax Amsterdam
The Amsterdam giants have thus far disappointed in their Champions League voyage, suffering a 1-0 and 1-4 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid respectively.
However, De Joden boss, Frank de Boer, has expressed confidence that his side can achieve a decent result in their upcoming encounter against the Citizens, who have also struggled to perform brightly in the Europe’s most prestigious club competition, if
they manage to play their own game.
“If we want to survive in Europe we need a decent result from this match and that's our goal. We must have confidence that we can perform much better and if we do that, we can get some points”, De Boer was quoted as saying to the media.
Manchester City
In spite of performing brilliantly in the English top flight, the Citizens have thus far struggled to achieve good results in UEFA Champions League.
The English champions crashed out of the group stages in last year’s competition, and it seems no different this term, as they have yet to register their first win in Group D.
The Sky Blues suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in their opening fixture, before they were stunned by an impressive Borussia Dortmund in their second game, though, the English Premier League outfit managed to secure a 1-1 stalemate at the
end.
The City head coach, Roberto http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mancini-c23323, has expressed confidence that his side will manage to emerge victorious, despite admitting that it will be a tough away game.
“Ajax play fantastic football but they have a young team. It's difficult to play away, and it's clear that we can lose our chances (of qualifying), but we need to do our best. We don't have experience as a club but all our players have experience in the
Champions League”, Mancini said while talking to reporters in the pre-match press conference.
Probable Line-ups:
Ajax Amsterdam:
Vermeer; Van Rhijn, Alderweireld, Moisander, Blind; Poulsen, De Jong, Eriksen; Sana, Babel, Boerrigter.
Manchester City:
Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, Yaya Toure, Barry, Nasri; Aguero, Tevez.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Eriksen-c9074 – Ajax Amsterdam
The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in Europe. The Danish sensation has yet to impress in this year’s Champions League. However, his movement at the centre of the park coupled with his playmaking skills could certainly prove
tricky for the Citizens. Should he perform at his best, the hosts will have a decent chance of securing a good result.
Yaya Toure – Manchester City
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 midfielder has remained an essential part of Mancini’s Manchester City since the start of the 2010/11 season. The Ivorian midfield maestro would be keen to impress yet again, and help his in securing all three points.
Prediction
It will be an intriguing battle between the two sides on Wednesday, as both sides failed to impress in their opening two encounters of the Europe’s most prestigious club competition. The Amsterdammers will have a slight edge over the Citizens due to the
home advantage. However, the English champions will not give up their Champions League hopes without a fight.
Predicted score-line: Ajax 2-1 Manchester City.
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