26 Nov 2013: Ajax - FC Barcelona

[Ayman]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la- ... ID=HP_HN_2 If Neymar and Mascherano can pick up knocks that will ensure they miss this key match, then Ajax have a great chance to win at home

[Kowalczyk]

We're talking about...

UEFA Champions League. Group H. Matchday 5.

Kick-off time at the Amsterdam ArenA: 20.45 CET.

K.

[King Litti]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la- ... ID=HP_HN_2 If Neymar and Mascherano can pick up knocks that will ensure they miss this key match, then Ajax have a great chance to win at home

Barca have already qualified for the play off rounds. Hope they will rest some key players. The problem is that even if they do, they have so much quality in the bench as well and they always seem to be motivated to play. Still if Messi would be out it would be a relief to me as he is just out of this world. This is not going to be easy, but everything is possible especially at home.

[Orange14]

I never want to see good players out injured but I suspect neither Messi or Fabregas will play against us (both went off with injuries yesterday). Puyols would probably play since he is just now back in the squad after being out a long time and they have more than adequate replacements across the whole roster.

[souras84]

It's confirmed that Messi will be returning in 2014. Happy New Year!!

[Orange14]

It's confirmed that Messi will be returning in 2014. Happy New Year!!

Too bad as I was looking forward to Veltman shutting him down and exchanging shirts at the end of the match.

[Van basten]

We need a point here, if milan beats celtic, to have chance qualifay for play-offs.

[Ayman]

I cant see AC Milan winning away to Celtic, I think it will be most likely a draw or a win for celtic. But if only Neymar and Mascherano can pick up knocks, and miss the game against Ajax, that will make things easier.

[Tom_]

Complicated as usual but I think a draw in Glasgow is our best bet. Assuming we lose against Barça we'd still be above Celtic (thanks to our away goal in Glasgow) with one round to play. We would then need to beat Milan in the San Siro to get through to the next round. If we lose to Milan as well, Barça beating Celtic in the Camp Nou would get us into the UEFA Cup.

But we don't want Celtic drawing both their games, or getting a win—if they win either of their games we'd need two more points just to get into the UEFA Cup.

[Ayman]

In order to get this right, Moisander would have to start, I want Denswil to be played at left back, Boilesen isnt doing well in that position.

[Orange14]

In order to get this right, Moisander would have to start, I want Denswil to be played at left back, Boilesen isnt doing well in that position.

Probably Poulsen in the midfield and Blind at left fullback.

[King Litti]

But if only Neymar and Mascherano can pick up knocks, and miss the game against Ajax, that will make things easier.

The squad of Barca has been confirmed. They will come in to this game with a weakened side. For example Messi, Valdes, Alves, Alba, Adriano and Sanchez (suspension) are all out. Still they can throw in Xavi, Iniesta, Mascherano, Fabregas, Neymar... I'd say we are still the underdogs in this one. Even though Barca have already qualified they need a point to secure the first place of this group so it's not going to be a vacation trip for them. They will come to Amsterdam to play. However the absence of so many regular starters might have some effect on their game. Maybe we can make an upset and take some points. After all we're playing in the sold out Arena. I think we have a chance.

[Orange14]

We win 1-0 on an own goal by Pique (you don't think that given our attackers we will score a goal of our own do you???). Veltman and van Rhijn totally shut down Neymar and he kicks out in disgust at Veltman earning a Red card. You read it here first.

[Tom_]

Sure, 1–0 to us, but with a 30 yard thunderbolt from Veltman after he storms through the Barça press.

OK, fine. Sorry to say it, but I assume we will lose, therefore the result from Celtic–Milan may be more relevant to our chances of qualification. If we dug in maybe we could get a 1–0 win or a draw but it's never going to happen if we take Barça on at football.

[ajaxusa]

From Jack Papegaay (an old friend of Ajax USA), and only of interest to those of us residing in God's Country (or Texas)…

The Ajax game this Tuesday against Barcelona will shown on the regional Fox networks around the country. That includes the following areas: Fox Sports South, Florida, Ohio, Detroit, Midwest, Southwest, Arizona, West

Also the 3 Root Sports networks will have the game. Those are Root Sports Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain and Northwest. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like the Comcast Sports Networks around the country will have the game since for some time they no longer carry telecasts from the Fox Sports Networks.

Thanks, Jack!

[Orange14]

It's on a delayed broadcast here in the Washington DC area. Will be broadcast on FS2 at 8PM tomorrow. They are showing other matches live in the afternoon.

[Cruijff]

Well, just keep your hands off the internet for a couple of hours then and pretend you're watching live football when you tune in at 8PM.

[GangstaRiB]

Somebody know where I can see Ajax-Barca in London, UK? Sportsbar or something? Thanks!

[Ayman]

GangstaRib either try de hems in Macclesfield street or sports cafe in haymarket around the corner

[Orange14]

Well, just keep your hands off the internet for a couple of hours then and pretend you're watching live football when you tune in at 8PM.

It might be on live on one of the overflow cable channels but I won't know until gametime. The other complication is that my sister is in from oversees for a visit so that's an additional complication!

[Ayman]

Boilesen should start on the left wing, as Fischer is best when he comes off the bench, rather than a starter, and Denswil should play at left back. Because of our injuries upfront we have no choice but to play Hoesen.

[King Litti]

Don't think we are going to see much changes to the strarting line up that played agains Heracles. This is not the game were you want to experiment.

Because of our injuries upfront we have no choice but to play Hoesen.

I don't think our chances would improve much even if would have Siggy or de Jong in the line up. Hoesen doesn't pale in comparison to those guys (which means we need a proper nro 9).

[SPL]

same starting line up as v Hercales. I have the bonus of live sky tv tonight

[Ayman]

Im going to predict 1-2 to barcelona or 2-2 draw. Hopefully the celtic - milan game ends in a draw, but i get the feeling celtic will win.

[Ayman]

Does anyone have any streams