15 Aug 2007: Ajax - SK Slavia Praha

[Kowalczyk]

I guess it's time to start posting thoughts on this fixture...

It's not exactly the most unimportant one of the year, I would say...

K.

[Venezuelan Ajacied]

So the million dollar question...who shall replace our lost Wesley in the starting eleven ??? Kennedy ?? Urby?? Suarez ??? Sarpong??

take a guess....

[Kowalczyk]

So the million dollar question...who shall replace our lost Wesley in the starting eleven ??? Kennedy ?? Urby?? Suarez ??? Sarpong??

take a guess....

In the Dutch zones people are suggesting a midfield with Gabri, Heitinga and Urby. I am not in favour of that: three defensive midfielders... It's not AC Milan we're playing. Come on, we're Ajax, we're playing at home and we need a result to take to travel to Prague with.

I say: let's play with an offensive central midfielder (a real 'number 10'), rather than a defensive one. My line-up would be:


------------------------------- Steks ------------------------------

Ogararu ----------- Stam ------------ Heitinga -------- Vermaelen

Gabri ---------------------- Kennedy ------------------- Urby

Rommedahl -------------- Chip (KJH) -------------- Dale (Suarez)


Ogararu has been injured for a while. If he can't make, play Colin at right back instead. Both Suarez and Urzaiz are fit for Wednesday. We might need Uraziz, as Slavia are a very defensive counter-attacking side. We might need our battering ram.

K.

[K.J. Huntelaar]

I must say i am a bit scared about this encounter (Kopenhagen in my mind ). I hope that on the 30.08. i will say all is well, what ends well...

[GangstaRiB]

Ah well. we don't have to worry about the money

Seriously: We have to give Prague a final blow in Amsterdam. 2-0 or 3-0 is good enough for the return leg.

This fixture will be played in survival-mode, since we have so many players gone/injured. But still we have to be capable of winning (easily).

[Venezuelan Ajacied]

I would go with this formation:

Stekelenburg

Heitinga Stam Vermealen Urby

Gabri Maduro

Kennedy

Rommedahl KJH Suarez


I believe Urby looses efectivness when used at midfield.....thats why i leave him un defense.

[andy]

Lets play manager for this one, I'd play the team like this:

Stekelenburg

Van der Wiel, Stam, Colin, Vermaelen

Gabri, Heitinga, Urby

Kennedy

Huntelaar, Rommedahl

The team seems a little lightweight to me, but its the best we can assemble for wednesday.

[Dubbel]

Piece of cake, this one.
Is this Slavia the 2nd or 3rd team of the Chech capitol? Make sure we create a big difference at home (4-0) and then an even bigger win (1-6) in the away game in Prague. CL here we come!

[Kowalczyk]

Match preview on UEFA.com...

K.

[Kowalczyk]

The line-up, as expected by Ajax Netwerk (and they're usually pretty accurate)...

----------------------------- Stekelenburg --------------------------------

-- Colin -------------- Stam ------------ Vermaelen ----- Emanuelson --

------- Gabri ------------------ Kennedy -------------- Heitinga ----------

-- Rommedahl ------------- Huntelaar ---------------- Suárez -----------


I don't think Heitinga will really play as a left midfielder. I expect him to be more of a central midfielder, playing in Kennedy's back, with Gabri on the right and Urby as an offensive left fullback, steaming down the left flank. Slavia will defend, so the defenders will get loads of space. As far as man-marking is concerned, Colin, Stam and Vermaelen will be more than enough.

K.

[Kowalczyk]

If today's issue of De Telegraaf is correct, I got the names right, but not the positions. Looks like HTC will come up with a rather remarkable 'shuffle'...

------------------------------- Stekelenburg -----------------------------------

-------Colin ----------- Stam ---------- Vermaelen ------ Emanuelson ------

------------------- Gabri --------------------Heitinga --------------------------

---------------------------------Suárez -----------------------------------------

---- Kennedy --------------- Huntelaar -------------------- Rommedahl -----


Suárez as a '10' and Rommedahl on the left...? Why would you do that when you have someone who is a real 'number 10' (Kennedy), a real right winger (Rommedahl) and a striker who is used to the 'Babel role' from the left (Suárez)?

With Colin at right back we don't have to expect an 'express train' storming forward over the right flank, which is an extra reason why Rommedahl should be on the right wing: he is a right midfielder and a right winger at the same time. Kennedy is slower and less of a runner.

In the above line-up the right flank will be very static.

K.

[aveslacker]

I'm wearing my Ajax tie for this one. But I'm kind of nervous. Hopefully the talent gap will be the difference.

Let's go, boys!

[Kowalczyk]

Time to hook up with my mates (including SaddlerIan) at the pub @ Rembrandtplein, for a few pre-game frozen pints of lager.

Let me tell you one thing: we're gonna break these Czechs in half like a dried out turd in the desert - Sneijder or no Sneijder.

COME ON AJAX!!

K.

[Venezuelan Ajacied]

Time to hook up with my mates (including SaddlerIan) at the pub @ Rembrandtplein, for a few pre-game frozen pints of lager.

Let me tell you one thing: we're gonna break these Czechs in half like a dried out turd in the desert - Sneijder or no Sneijder.

COME ON AJAX!!

K.

Thats the Spirit Mate HUP AJAX !!!!

[Van der Vaart]

my fucking godness ,what a chance lost by Suarez

[K.J. Huntelaar]

Any streams for this one? I ain't getting nothing.

[Van der Vaart]

www.myp2p.eu

Suarez had a good first half after all,in spite of chance he lost.Good Passes, nice plays ,etc

[dws]

Decent first half for Ajax ... should be two or three goals in front.

Suarez is going to be an excellent player for us

[aveslacker]

Decent first half for Ajax ... should be two or three goals in front.

Suarez is going to be an excellent player for us

Let's hope we get those three goals in the second half!

[K.J. Huntelaar]

Is slavia givin any threat?

No stream works. I was really hoping to see this game

[dws]

Is slavia givin any threat?

No stream works. I was really hoping to see this game

Slavia has threatened on a couple of occasions.

Sopcast channel 22508 is streaming beautifully.

[jabu]

Penalty missed by Huntelaar.

[Van der Vaart]

Huntelaar missed a penalty kick.

Penalty was on Suarez

[dws]

Huntelaar missed a penalty kick.

Penalty was on Suarez

Awful penalty from KJH.

[jabu]

Another great chance bij Suarez. He got Babels his finishing skills.