UEFA Champions League – Match Preview: Real Madrid versus Ajax
Real Madrid, the most successful team in the history of the UEFA Champions League is set to begin its 2010-2011 UEFA Champions’ League group stage campaign with a match against the Dutch giants Ajax. In the last six seasons, Madrid have completely under achieved in European Cup competitions.
They have entered the tournament with hopes that they will make it to the last two teams but have failed to do so on a regular basis as they have not qualified for the quarter finals of the tournament in the last six seasons. Every time Madrid have taken the stage in the UEFA Champions League in the last six seasons, their exit has come in a pre-mature fashion at the round of sixteen stage.
Madrid have won the European Cup a total number of nine times, more than any other team around at the present moment in time. This year they are bidding to become the first team to lift the European Cup for an astonishing tenth time in their history.
Under their new manager, Jose Mourinho, such a task is quite realistic. Last year, Jose led Inter Milan to the UEFA Champions League title as the men in blue and black defeated Bayern Munich in the final which was held at Real Madrid’s home ground i.e. Santiago Bernabeau.
Several new players have come in to the Madrid squad over the summer. German youngsters, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil are two of the high profile arrivals for Los Blancos and therefore the Los Meringues will be looking for a successful season ahead in Europe and domestically as well.
Madrid have had a mixed start to their La Liga campaign but they have gathered four points from the opening two games of the Spanish football season. In doing so they are already ahead of their rivals, Barcelona in the Spanish Primera Division. J
ose has already suggested that this year’s Champions League will be quite a different one, he said in his interview earlier on in the season that this time around, six or seven clubs will be competing for the chance to become Europe’s elite at the Wembley stadium come May,2011.
Last season, Jose tactically demolished the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea and is expected to bring defensive steel to Real Madrid, the likes of which they have missed in the European Cup in the previous several seasons.
Madrid will be dependent on their star winger/forward Cristiano Ronaldo if they indeed have to succeed in European competitions this season. Ronaldo himself has come to the fore and stated that Madrid has always had the drive to win the UEFA Champions League.
The Portuguese midfielder spoke to Real Madrid’s official website as he said that, Real Madrid have the capability to do well in Europe this season but the players must not let the pressure get the best of them. He added that Madrid have to take it slowly and go one step at a time in the UEFA Champions League.
As far as Madrid’s opponents in their opening encounter are concerned, Ajax are making their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League for over five season. In the past the Dutch giants have been one of the most exciting and successful outfits in the European Cup.
This time around however, their chances of success are quite bleak but their manager, Martin Jol is prepared to give his best, in order to bring in some more European glory for his club side. Ajax will approach the Madrid match with an intention to set things right as far as their recent record in Europe is concerned. They might have an inexperienced manager in the shape of Jol, but their hunger cannot be doubted.
Ajax will be without their star striker Luis Suarez, who is suspended for the match against Madrid. However, Ajax will be looking towards the likes of Van Der Wiel and Emanuelson to make up for the Uruguayan’s absence. Madrid on the other hand are without the likes of Kaka, Raul Albiol and Gago. Ronaldo is fit for the match and also featured for Madrid in their weekend’s win over Osasuna on Saturday.
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