28 AUG 2019; Ajax - APOEL; CL Playoff Round

[Orange14]

Posting earlier than usual as Ajax are given this weekend off by the FA so they will be fresh against APOEL. As SPL posted on the previous game thread, this is not necessarily a good thing as ETH is still trying to put pieces in place. APOEL are not terribly creative on offense and they will bunker down to try to keep Ajax from scoring. I think the longer Ajax go without scoring the more nervous the team will get. Expectations have grown considerably given the success of last season.

Mazraoui misses the game because of the RC he picked up for the silly challenge from the rear. My reading of the rules for the CL is that any YCs accumulated in this round are wiped clean for the group stage. However, a sending off will carry over. Onana will have to be in top form and let's hope for an early goal that will put APOEL on the back foot and open things up.

[rjf1]

Failure to get an away goal in the first game (I was actually hoping we could get two) puts us in an extremely dangerous position for this game. If we concede an away goal and they go into a shell that we can't crack, I'm afraid it could be all over for us. Onana is going to have to come up with a huge performance and keep them off the scoreboard.

[souras84]

We have to win. Simple as that. The only result that will do. Nothing wrong with that, cause that's football. YOU PLAY TO WIN (or go home)

[Ayman]

Sadly, ten Hag is likely to keep Veltman at centre back, instead of the right back position. And Dest is likely to be right back. When it should be Schuurs at centre back, Veltman at right back. I just hope Marin is dropped and we see van de Beek - Blind - Ziyech in midfield. Up front, we have no other choice if we want to see goals and have Neres - Huntelaar - Tadic. I get the feeling Ajax will concede a goal. I can't believe I am nervous for such a game. You would have thought it was a tough team, but it's APOEL!

[SPL]

Donny is injured and misses the game.MF Blind,Marin Ziyech and that means KJH will have to start with Tadic out wide.

[Ayman]

Donny is injured and misses the game.MF Blind,Marin Ziyech and that means KJH will have to start with Tadic out wide.

I read that, how about Promes? Too early to return?

[Orange14]

Donny is injured and misses the game.MF Blind,Marin Ziyech and that means KJH will have to start with Tadic out wide.

I would move Marin up front and start Alvarez with Blind.

[Amol]

I would start with Neres-Tadic-Ziyech behind Huntelaar. I would bring on Lang when Huntelaar starts getting tired and move Ziyech to the center and Neres to RW and Lang to LW.

I would also move Blind to LCB and put either Martinez or Alvarez in the DM spot.

[Orange14]

TNT are carrying the match with APOEL again this week. Let's hope for a strong performance from the get go!!

[Amol]

TNT are carrying the match with APOEL again this week. Let's hope for a strong performance from the get go!!

I accept the blame for Ajax's performance last week. I watched the whole game and probably brought on bad luck.

To make amends, I'm going to stay off and not watch the game. Will follow onlines updates here, uefa.com & twitter.

[Amol]

Apparently Promes is fit for tomorrow. That helps solve tomorrow's puzzle.

[Ayman]

I would prefer to see an ultra defensive Ajax team with Veltman, Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico and Alvarez and Martinez in front of them, unlikely, but it would be good to play APOEL at their own game. Get them on the counter attack, with Ziyech and Neres on the flanks and Tadic in ACM behind Huntelaar.

[Orange14]

According to AD Sports: Onana; Tagliafico, Martinez, Veltman, Dest; Blind, Alvarez, Ziyech; Promes, Tadic, Neres

ETH has a lot of courage if this is indeed the lineup!!

[Amol]

Lineup for today -
Onana; Dest, Veltman, Martínez, Tagliafico; Alvarez, Blind; Neres, Tadic, Ziyech; Huntelaar

I like it. I had recommended the same front 4 and Alvarez in MF. Lets see if Blind plays LCB or in midfield.

[Orange14]

I'm getting butterflies right now!! I will settle for a nice quiet 2-0 win. Let's hope Ajax get off on the front foot and break down APOEL quickly.

[SPL]

With only Mazraoui and Donny unavailable we have only 2 senior subs Promes and Marin ,Varela a 3rd but hasn't played for a long time.Not convinced by the strength of our squad but just hope we somehow win this game.

If we get Ko'd tonight that really will be worse than that last minute Spurs Ko.

[Orange14]

Lineup for today -
Onana; Dest, Veltman, Martínez, Tagliafico; Alvarez, Blind; Neres, Tadic, Ziyech; Huntelaar

I like it. I had recommended the same front 4 and Alvarez in MF. Lets see if Blind plays LCB or in midfield.

Varela, Schuurs, Promes, Ekkelenkamp, de Wit, Marin and Traore are the subs.

[raymon]

Apparently Blind and Martinez switch position.

[Amol]

Apparently Blind and Martinez switch position.

Also my recommendation. Is ETH reading my posts here?

[raymon]

Apparently Blind and Martinez switch position.

Also my recommendation. Is ETH reading my posts here?

I also suggested that. Maybe people are reading here!?!

[Orange14]

Nice free kick by Ziyech and well taken header by Alvarez. We just need one more to make this one a winner as APOEL really don't have any attacking possibilities except on free kicks. Veltman really needs to be careful now. I thought that the forearm block to Tadic deserved a RC. This game is still tight.

[SPL]

Great relief we get a goal ,lets get a2nd and bury the game

[Tom_]

Finally put one away. APOEL is set up extremely defensively with 9 players blocking the middle at times.

Ref is a fan of the APOEL playacting so there is a danger of another red card here.

[Tom_]

Mystified by that VAR call. Veltman’s foot was offside but he didn’t seem to be involved. His man fell over but that defender was also not involved—that would be a pretty arbitrary reason to rule it out.

[Tom_]

Tadić!!!

Was starting to get that ‘they’re gonna score’ feeling too. Now let’s get one more.