27 Sep 2011: Real Madrid CF - Ajax

[Kowalczyk]

UEFA Champions League, group stage (group D), matchday 2!

Okay. Last year they absolutely tore us apart, they played with us like a cat with a dead mouse. They must have had about twenty clear-cut scoring chances.

Fast forward to this year. Of course we're gonna lose, but let's show a bit more courage this time, shall we? Play football. Nothing to lose.

K.

[Blind3]

Madrid not in best form at moment. Isn't hatchetman Marcelo suspended for this match ? Also, I believe Coentrao and , IIRC , Pepe , picked up knocks recently. All defenders.

[orange goblin]

This is the squad. No surprises, just Lodeiro added in the 19-man selectie

Kenneth Vermeer
Jasper Cillessen
Gregory van der Wiel
Toby Alderweireld
Jan Vertonghen
Vurnon Anita
Eyong Enoh
Miralem Sulejmani
Christian Eriksen
Kolbeinn Sigthórsson
Siem de Jong
Lorenzo Ebecilio
André Ooijer
Theo Janssen
Daley Blind
Dmitry Bulykin
Derk Boerrigter
Thulani Serero
Nicolás Lodeiro

[Manneken Pis]

To be honest, I'm almost thinking of not watching tonight.
Last year's game was to painfully embarassing I just sat there in horror.
Stecks played the game of his life, without him it could have been double figures for Real.

I guess we'll see how far the "de Boer Revolution" has really taken Ajax in the last year...

[Orange14]

Will be interesting to see who Mourinho puts out on defense tonight. Marcello out on suspension and they started two second string central defenders on Saturday though Carvallho is listed on the squad sheet for this match.

[Philippe]

Franck has more ambition than Jol had. So it could be a bad surprise for R.Mad.

[Manneken Pis]

Franck has more ambition than Jol had. So it could be a bad surprise for R.Mad.

I hope so Philippe...

Frome the website "A Different League":

Johan Cruyff: “Real Madrid’s Achilles heel is in central midfield”
By David Redshaw
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has renewed his rivalry with old foes Real Madrid by giving a helping hand to Ajax boss Ronald de Boer before the Champions League clash between the two clubs on Tuesday night.

Cruyff, who spent 11 years with the Dutch club during two spells that spanned three decades, is sports consultant to Ajax and has already facilitated talks between de Boer and Barca boss Pep Guardiola to try and obtain some pointers on how to overcome José Mourinho’s men at the Santiago Bernabéu. It is something de Boer has not tried to hide: “Yes I have spoken to him to try to find some solutions and know the dangers posed by Real Madrid, because Pep has a lot of experience playing against them,” he admitted.

Having been one of the most outspoken critics of Mourinho’s style of play Cruyff thinks he knows where Los Blancos’ weak point lies, and writing in Holland’s biggest newspaper De Telegraaf, he said : “Real’s Achilles heel is in central midfield, where they have good players but their positional sense leaves a lot to be desired, and Ajax need to take advantage of this. They also need to be organised and will then get chances to win the game.”

The Dutchman was referring to a middle of the park where only Xabi Alonso has been an undisputed first choice so far this season, and feels this is an area of the pitch where Ajax can unsettle the hosts. He considers Madrid not to be a solid block: “They have been very inconsistent in the first few weeks and it is something that is bothering them,” he explained. “Ajax are expecting a difficult game. However, the way Madrid are playing poses many questions.”

Former Barcelona player de Boer is equally optimistic and at the same time could not hide his admiration for Guardiola. He said: “There are a lot of differences between the two clubs from when I was playing. Barcelona are an amazing team, Madrid also, but Guardiola’s side are from another planet. Even so, Real have shown they are very dangerous, although Barcelona are better because they have the best players in the world.”
He continued: “If we go there with fear we will be disappointed. If we go onto the field with that attitude it will be a massacre, so we must show we can take the game to them and play as a team and make it difficult for them. We have to puff out our chests on the pitch and concentrate. The key will be to not lose the ball in central midfield.”

On Mourinho’s touchline ban de Boer commented: “He is a great Coach but he knows he made a mistake.”

[Ajaciedjuh]

Roland de Boer

[orange goblin]

lodeiro op de tribune again. this guy will never have a chance.

[ajaxusa]

USA viewers: Today's game is on Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) at 5pm Eastern/2pm Pac.

[#14]

game is live in USA on Fox Deportes (channel 125 on TWC in NYC)

[paladinby]

Madrid cathes us on a counter and Cristina scores.

[#14]

opened up like a can of sardines....

[Flipster81]

The Kaka goal just screams DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER to me. With no cover player in the middle any decent team will open us up.

[orange goblin]

not a bad first half, we had some ins and outs, but JESUS CHRIST a defensive midfielder is needed, at least in Europe!

[Orange14]

At this quality level players cannot afford to be indecisive. We saw this on the first Madrid goal when Van der Wiel was tentative and didn't go for the tackle. Concedes the space and then bingo a nice two pass play leaving Vermeer no chance with Ronaldo. On the second goal, Kaka gets a free run and then the ball from CR7 but the defender (couldn't make out the player over the Internet) doesn't attack him at that point and Kaka gets a free shot on goal. We still have trouble getting the ball out of our own half which leads to lots of possession but no way to attack. They tried to go over the top a couple of times and one almost threatened but the ball was a touch too long. Both Boerrigter and Suljemani can beat their defenders but they are not getting the ball in a position to do so. I cannot see things improving in the second half as Janssen is too slow and can't get the ball in any position to do much. de Jong is playing deeper and looks to be a primary ball handler but this is not his game. At least the team doesn't appeared as awed of Madrid as in last year's match.

I hope we can at least peg one goal back if just for a moral boost.

[orange goblin]

Both Boerrigter and Suljemani can beat their defenders

very true

[Azeri]

Our KIDS just do not realise where they are. We can demonstrate courage, confidence whatever... But these wolves crack us on one-two - One: whole team can not stop the motion and Ronaldo is uncovered in front of the goal; Two - Kaka just shots outside of the box.
I will always support Ajax.. I'm Ajacied... but I've got no hope

[paladinby]

It looks like Enoh is coming on. Probably he should be a starter tonight.

[Van basten]

For fuc*k sake..

[Orange14]

So now FdB realizes he needs a defensive midfielder. Three goals too late. Also, we don't have to worry about losing Van der Wiel to a big club any time soon. Just send the clip of this match around and nobody will by a Euro for him. I thought he would do better.

[Philippe]

Janssen out and Enoh in. What's wrong with you, Franck ?

[Azeri]

60' Manchester U. [2 - 2] Basel

16' [1 - 0] D. Welbeck

17' [2 - 0] D. Welbeck

58' [2 - 1] F. Frei

60' [2 - 2] A. Frei

Basel!! Can we afford that?

[#14]

to be fair:

today's Madrid lineup > today's ManU lineup

as in not even close. that said, Ajax isn't even competitive....

[#14]

that said, it's now 3-2 Basel....

EDIT: 3-3 @ FT, obviously