23 Nov 2010 : Ajax - Real Madrid CF

[Philippe]

They did not know it was impossible so they did it. (Mark Twain).

Come on, let's do it !

[Orange14]

Given that they play Barca next Monday, the question is how many of the starting 11 will be sitting out this match. Madrid does not have to win or even draw against us to advance and I suspect we will see a number of changes. Will Jol field an attacking lineup and go for the win?

[Philippe]

It seems that Higuaín and Carvalho will not play.

[kezme44]

This could potentially be really, really bad

[rjf1]

This could potentially be really, really bad

I don't think so -- against the powerhouses we always step up the game and manage to lose by no more than 2 goals.

[orange goblin]

don't understand the exclusion of mido, we could have needed him.
De wedstrijdselectie bestaat uit de volgende spelers:

Maarten Stekelenburg
Jeroen Verhoeven
Gregory van der Wiel
Toby Alderweireld
Jan Vertonghen
Vurnon Anita
Eyong Enoh
Miralem Sulejmani
Christian Eriksen
Mounir El Hamdaoui
Siem de Jong
Urby Emanuelson
André Ooijer
Luis Suarez
Rasmus Lindgren
Teemu Tainio
Demy de Zeeuw
Oleguer
Aras Özbiliz

[Philippe]

A draw would not be that bad. Then we'd have to get points Milan, which seems rather feasible.

[Orange14]

Madrid have never beaten us in Amsterdam (hope today is not the first time for that). Like Orange Goblin, I really question why Mido is not on the squad list. Do we really need all these mid-fielders? Why do we have two spare central defenders? I think Josefzoon is out injured but if Jol has any aspirations of winning this match, he needs to field an attacking lineup. Madrid's weakest point is their back four and depending on who Morinho decides to rest for the Barca match they could be vulnerable. Oh well, I guess we are in for an evening of bizarre tactical football once again.

[Philippe]

It seems that Jol could have in mind a clean sheet and a draw to ensure spot 3 and the Europa League.
Real Madrid would be satisfied with one point which would guarantee their number one place.

[Orange14]

It seems that Jol could have in mind a clean sheet and a draw to ensure spot 3 and the Europa League.
Real Madrid would be satisfied with one point which would guarantee their number one place.

Trouble is Auxerre are playing much better at this point and what happens if they manage to beat Milan today? We are up the creek. I do think you are correct about playing for the draw and if Madrid do not start Ronaldo (likely in my view) I foresee a very boring match.

[Philippe]

It seems to me highly unlikely that Auxerre get any point from AC Milan.

[SPL]

I think Auxerre could get a draw v Milan so we need a draw tonight . Do not see Jol playing attacking as he regularly fields 2 defensive midfielders and has at times played all 3 . Given that Urby is basically an attacking full back we could see 9 defensive minded players with just Suarez and El Ham as attackers!!

Playing defensive minded against the likes of Milan and Real is fair enough but not against Dutch teams or the likes of Auxerre who I thought should have been beaten easily in both games.

[SPL]

streams are via myp2p and I see there are about a dozen to chose from ,wonder if there will be any english ones. My son will watch Arsenal on his Tv, my wife wants to watch something on tv so although I have sky I am going to have to watch it on internet again .

[Orange14]

streams are via myp2p and I see there are about a dozen to chose from ,wonder if there will be any english ones. My son will watch Arsenal on his Tv, my wife wants to watch something on tv so although I have sky I am going to have to watch it on internet again .

You need to change your son's allegiance!!! Regarding your previous post on the lineup for this evening; I quite agree with your assessment, it will be defense first. If Madrid do not start Ronaldo we could see a boring 0-0 draw.

[SPL]

My son bacame an Arsenal fan because of one man , Dennis Bergkamp .

[paladinby]

That's just stupid. I mean Mido is the only attacking line player who can make physical play and he is always left behind. I am tired of watching Suarez and El Ham being outmuscled by the ugly defenders. (Emanuelson is never involved in those challenges at all). C'mon we need someone strong upfront.

Anyway - GO AJAX!!! GO!!!

[paladinby]

The line-up has surprise:

Sulejmani El Hamdaoui Suarez

Emanuelson De Jong Enoh

Anita Vertonghen Alderweireld Van der Wiel

Stekelenburg

Wissels : Verhoeven, Eriksen, Ooijer, Lindgren, Tainio, De Zeeuw, Ozbiliz

Subs are surprise too. Playing youth is good.

[bluedaddy19]

a very attacking midfield, hmmm

i'm afraid i do not believe de jong and enoh to be CL caliber... we could really use a fit lodeiro about now

[Orange14]

Bit surprised that Morinho is starting CR7.

[bluedaddy19]

the real lineup is not exactly light, folks

Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo, Lass, Alonso, Pedro Leon, Ozil, Ronaldo & Benzema

[Orange14]

Real shame. Phantom yellow card on a dive and then we get caught out. Unfortunately, all the good play to now goes for naught and I think the match is probably over. We dribble into two man traps constantly.

[ajaxcolombia]

oh well...that pretty much ends all hope of winning tonight.

[Orange14]

Goal number two on either a screen or deflection. Turn out the lights.

[bluedaddy19]

Goal number two on either a screen or deflection. Turn out the lights.

was a big screen and took two deflections, actually

[Amol]

All in all a pretty frustrating afternoon for me. My stream keeps on freezing every 30 seconds and now we're down 0-2 to RM. Just plain awesome.