18 Sep 2012: BV Borussia Dortmund - Ajax

[Philippe]

According to the special one, we can surprise them.
http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/13/AJAX/ ... n-CL.dhtml
Let's start with this game.

[Tom_]

Um, I don't suppose anyone on here is planning to go to this? It's only an hour away for me, but I have no idea how much tickets would cost or how to get them (for the away end). I've heard it's a pretty spectacular stadium though.

[Cruijff]

Yes, the stadium is impressive. I have been there before. In the NL section about 10 forum members are planning to go.

[King Litti]

The first real test of the season and man it's a big one. Hope we can challenge them by playing the game our way (having some ball possession) and it's not just us defending and chasing the ball for 90 minutes because then it will be a long night. Still Dortmund will probably have most of the possession. We have to be quick when we have the chance to counter attack.

[Kowalczyk]

I don't think we'll advance to the next round, but why is it impossible to get a result in Dortmund...?

The last time we went to Germany was against Hamburg SV. They were really good at the time and everybody thought we were gonna get stuffed, but we actually beat them 0-1 (Leonardo, remember). And that was not exactly a greater Ajax team than this year's lot. We're better now than we were back then.

It will be difficult and we may very well lose, but we don't have to feel like we don't stand a rat's chance in hell or something.

K.

[Tom_]

Damn straight, according to UEFA we're the favourites, remember?

My guess: I can't see us getting points off Banco de Madrid or Man City, but Dortmund are in the same boat as us, which means it will be a direct competition for third place. We have to beat them over two legs. Not going to be easy but we are at home for the second leg...

[paladinby]

You can call me crazy or something but i believe that we can advance to CL play-off from this group. Our schedule is good with 2 home games in a row.

Babel and Poulsen can help a lot and should be starters tomorrow in my opinion. All the team must be good motivated also. Anyways, we have nothing to lose in this Champions Group.

[Orange14]

I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams and repeat the van Gaal miracle of the mid 1990s!

[aveslacker]

I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams and repeat the van Gaal miracle of the mid 1990s!

I hope you're right!

[Philippe]

My prediction : 1 - 2.

[Venezuelan Ajacied]

I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams and repeat the van Gaal miracle of the mid 1990s!

I hope you're right!

I won't go so far, but I can definitely envision a repeat of our 2002-2003 run !

We even have a better coach

[ajaxcolombia]

I really like the optimism here

[paladinby]

The starting line-up:

Boerrigter Babel Sana

Eriksen Poulsen De Jong

Blind Moisander Alderweireld Van Rhijn

Vermeer

I kinda like that De Boer realized that a real holding midfielder is needed.

[SPL]

we can surprise Dortmund tonight . Still cannot believe they are a pot 4 team .Anyway I can watch it on sky tonight .

[paladinby]

Wing play and speed is key tonight. Dortmund defenders are not really fast and allowed a lot of space for attackers in the last BL game.

[King Litti]

Nice to know we have a speed machine like Lukoki to throw in with fresh legs when the dortmund defenders get tired.

[Van basten]

Not sure i like De Jong in that position. I'd prefer Schone there.

[souras84]

anyone with a decent stream?

[Jojo]

Try to find something here:
http://www.lshunter.tv/index.php?option ... view=lsh&e

[Tom_]

M&M on SopCast is watchable. Listed on wiziwig.eu.

[Orange14]

Well we defended pretty darn well given that 60% was played in our half. Dortmund had a couple of dangerous crosses but fortunately nobody was there to take advantage of them. Best chance of the match was when Babel went in on the keeper and then we had an open net for short period of time but couldn't take advantage of it. We are still beset by the problem of getting out from our own half. Dortmund are doing a nice job of pressing and then getting quick double teams at the halfway line. Ajax need to find a way of going over that line which could then break someone in on goal. The only other way is for the full backs to aggressively move forward creating another passing lane but that's perilous given out problematic defense.

There are some goals to be had in this match. I suspect Lukoki will be coming in for either Sana (Yellow card) or Boerrigter to add some speed to the wing. Babel has played well. I'm kind of wishing de Jong was not made Captain as he has been the weakest player in the midfield but FdB isn't going to sub him out.

[Van basten]

I think FdB needs to replace Sana. Maybe with Lukoki, maybe with Schone, moving him to De Jong position, and Siem to CF, and Babel to the right wing

[paladinby]

It's good that we have expierience in Babel and Poulsen.

I wonder what will be the subs in midfield coz de Boer never subs De Jong and Eriksen and there's no proper holding midfielder to sub Poulsen. Moving De Jong to forward, Babel to winger and replacing Boerrigter with Schone...

Now go out and win boys!!!

[Ayman]

Do a straight swap, Lukoki for Sana, and replace Boerrigter with Schone, put Siem de Jong up front and Babel on the left.

[paladinby]

That was badly managed by De Boer. Our wingers should have been replaced earlier and De Jong is just bad.