Ajaxtalk

Ajax travel to Lille for the penultimate CL group match. As we know Veltman and Blind are suspended. Schuurs had a decent match against Heracles but Blind will be the real loss to the team. His passing out of the back and steadying influence are key. I'm guessing that Martinez drops to the back line but who fills his spot in the MF? Alvarez did not get any match time yesterday which was a little surprising. Maybe Maran gets the start as he's played in the position early in the year. Mazraoui, if healthy, might do this but Dest is proving to be unreliable on defense. At least ETH has some decent depth in the team which was missing last season (of course they were quite fortunate not to have had any injuries and I think Tagliafico was the only player who missed match via suspension.

Three teams are tied on 7 points. A win in France means a tie against Valencia is enough to send them through to the knockout stage. The Valencia-Chelsea match is a tossup.

Mazraoui to play RB as I dont rate Dest's defending that high.His mistake yesterday would have been woeful at U17 level let alone the first team.

Me too. I think Mazraoui might be injured though. He seemed to hurt his knee on Saturday.

I'm afraid we'll play Alvarez and Schuurs together at the back. Seems untested and considering it's a game we must win, our forward line MUST make the difference. Let's score more than we concede

Would prefer Martinez at CD with Schuurs.

Mazraoui is in the traveling squad for tomorrow's match as are Eiting, Jurien Timber (his debut in first team selection), Noa Lang, and Gravenberch.

glad mazraoui seems fit to play
will be a close game. the win at home was not as impressive as the score made it out to be. lille had some massive chances but could not score. hopefully, with no chance for qualification to even the europa league with the third spot and a long series of no french league victories, i hope they feel demotivated and we can get away with a win.

lille missing their two central defenders tomorrow as well. fonte and soumaoro injured as confirmed by lille coach in a press conference just now

Excellent news about Nous. The KT tape on his left leg was running up his IT band - I wonder if he has an IT band strain. That's painful but not debilitating - I've had one on either leg over the years and speak from experience . I had both in the years I ran the NYC marathon.

Great news about their CDs being out as well - I wonder which 2nd string CD unit does better.

I'm home tomorrow and will be watching.

Excellent news about Nous. The KT tape on his left leg was running up his IT band - I wonder if he has an IT band strain. That's painful but not debilitating - I've had one on either leg over the years and speak from experience . I had both in the years I ran the NYC marathon.

Great news about their CDs being out as well - I wonder which 2nd string CD unit does better.

I'm home tomorrow and will be watching.

I know Ajax have to win. But it would be so nice if Chelsea fail to win the other game. I would hate to finish second, even though, Ajax are not the same 'minnows' as they used to be not so long ago.

Ayman schreef:I know Ajax have to win. But it would be so nice if Chelsea fail to win the other game. I would hate to finish second, even though, Ajax are not the same 'minnows' as they used to be not so long ago.

Technically Ajax doesn’t have to win today. As long as they win against Valencia next game they are guaranteed through to the next round.

mazraoui moving into martinez position, who is partnering with schuurs in the center back positions. dest playing in mazraoui’s position.

This is a very ballsy team which ETH is putting forward today -
Onana;
Dest, Schuurs, Martínez, Tagliafico;
Van de Beek,Mazraoui, Ziyech, ;
Labyad, Tadic, Promes

Subs - Varela, Huntelaar, Álvarez, Timber, Lang, Marin, De Jong

Is Alvarez still unable to play 90 minutes? I really worry with Nous in the DM spot.

We look very thin at the back, Alvarez is the only defensive sub.

Haven’t seen the squad set up like this but I think it’s still quite an attacking 11. Should be interesting...!

valencia Chelsea game is pretty entertaining

Amol schreef:Is Alvarez still unable to play 90 minutes? I really worry with Nous in the DM spot.

On the weekend the Dutch commentator said Alvarez was out with jetlag.

Tom_ schreef:

Amol schreef:Is Alvarez still unable to play 90 minutes? I really worry with Nous in the DM spot.

On the weekend the Dutch commentator said Alvarez was out with jetlag.

I heard that - but jetlag for a full week now?

Chelsea still 2-1 just hope they win .

Amol schreef:

Tom_ schreef:

Amol schreef:Is Alvarez still unable to play 90 minutes? I really worry with Nous in the DM spot.

On the weekend the Dutch commentator said Alvarez was out with jetlag.

I heard that - but jetlag for a full week now?

it’s code for he’s not ready to play for the starting 11

SPL schreef:Chelsea still 2-1 just hope they win .

shit 2-2

2-2. I’m not sure why we wanted Chelsea to win...? We can go top of the group now!

Just watched Valencia - Chelsea. Valencia missed three sure sitters and end up drawing 2-2. This group will come down to the final match day.

Tom_ schreef:2-2. I’m not sure why we wanted Chelsea to win...? We can go top of the group now!

I don't either and as confused as you.
Chelsea are ahead if Ajax and Chelsea tie on points
Valencia are ahead if Chelsea and Valencia are tied on points