19 SEP 2018; Ajax - AEK Athens; CL Group Day 1

[Orange14]

After several years in the wilderness without Champions League football, Ajax host AEK on Match Day One. I don't know much about the Greek side other than they are top of the table with three wins out of three. None of the players on the roster were recognizable to me. Dolberg is back to full training and will play for Jong Ajax on Monday so there may be a possibility that he will be on the bench Wednesday otherwise Serhuis (who interestingly was born in Greece and stated that he may play for the Greek NT if he cannot get a place on the Oranje NT) is the back up.

Everyone seems to be fit and will be ready.

[souras84]

AEK is a solid team with an attacking mindset. They have a good goalkeeper, their RB is very good too. They will be missing 3 starters because of red cards. It could be tricky, if we don't score a 2nd goal before we concede. I'd like a 2-0 and then we can control the game.

[Cruijff]

I expect and shout out a 2-0, 3-0 victory.

I fear a lousy game ending up in a 1-1 draw or even worse result.
That would be a false start.


Let's stay positive! 3-0 victory!!

[souras84]

1-1 is a frightening scenario, so we must be careful

[Cruijff]

1-1 is a frightening scenario, so we must be careful

0-1 or 1-2 would be even worse!


We met AEK Athene also in the group stage of the '94/'95 season and after having a pshysical test against them directly won the Champions League
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Eh4RJIj0s

[souras84]

1-1 is a frightening scenario, so we must be careful

0-1 or 1-2 would be even worse!


We met AEK Athene also in the group stage of the '94/'95 season and after having a pshysical test against them directly won the Champions League
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Eh4RJIj0s

That's when I first saw and fell in love with Ajax. I've been a supporter since that day!

[Cruijff]

That's when I first saw and fell in love with Ajax. I've been a supporter since that day!

Nice.
I know a German about your age (I suppose year of birth is 1984?) who became a fanatic Ajax fan after Ajax crushed Bayern Munich with 5-2.

Nowadays perhaps only the Ajax fans have a reputation that frightens the Germans, but back then a lot of people in Germany liked it a lot that Bayern Munich got their asses kicked by a young team with many home grown players.

[kezme44]

anyone know a good bar in central London to watch this one? three points is a must tomorrow. looks like aek will be missing some of their players due to suspensions so we must make it count

[zeux]

There is a Sports Bar at Haymarket: Riley. Near Pall Mall (close to Trafalgar Square)

[kezme44]

terrific, thanks zeux!

[Cruijff]

anyone know a good bar in central London to watch this one? three points is a must tomorrow. looks like aek will be missing some of their players due to suspensions so we must make it count

Yeahhh that is really central spot in London.
Probably you can also go to a lot of Wetherspoon pubs for a pint and a nice meal and just ask if they can put the game on for you.

As the game starts 5.55 pm UK time, good chance that most pubs will choose to bring this on the screen before going over to English CL team later on the eve.
Have fun in London!

[Orange14]

Because of Yom Kippur tomorrow, I will have to watch the match when I return from synagogue in the evening so I don't know when I will be able to get to the player ratings. Fortunately, it will be on one of our major cable television stations (TNT network for those in the US). I hope Ajax can come out with attacking football and put some balls into the back of the net.

[Ayman]

Because of Yom Kippur tomorrow, I will have to watch the match when I return from synagogue in the evening so I don't know when I will be able to get to the player ratings. Fortunately, it will be on one of our major cable television stations (TNT network for those in the US). I hope Ajax can come out with attacking football and put some balls into the back of the net.

Gmar katima Tova Oranje14

[Cruijff]

AEK Athens has a former FC Barcelona player, last season they had a Spanish coach.

Some of their players didn't receive salaries for the past 5 months.
The reward the selection was promised for reaching the Champions League group stage has also not yet been payed.

[souras84]

All the reports that I've heard these past few days say, that they are super excited to play in the CL. They aren't coming as tourists and they will try to get something out of the match.

[Cruijff]

All the reports that I've heard these past few days say, that they are super excited to play in the CL. They aren't coming as tourists and they will try to get something out of the match.

I'm sure they are a much better side than Groningen or Heerenveen in the Eredivisie and will also try to attack good.

Their 3th and 4th goal in their 4-0 victory last weekend were nice ones! Ajax should be precise on preventingcounter attacks and should benefit quick when we can make a steal and quick turnover.


I think we are a team that can handle the ball a bit better than AEK does and we can benefit from AEK also having intentions to play!
Tonight Onana should be on is best, though!

[Tom_]

de Ligt is out with a knee injury, according to de Telegraaf.

[Amol]

de Ligt is out with a knee injury, according to de Telegraaf.

Lineups are out and the de Ligt is not in the match squad. I know he picked up a small injury in training today, but these kids need rest.

De Jong replaces De Ligt and Eiting slides into midfield.

HUP AJAX!!

[Tom_]

Looks like AEK are blocking up the middle and we haven’t had any real chances. Eiting looks out of his depth and Neres hasn’t really had a touch. Would expect to see vd Beek soon.

[rjf1]

They are very strong defensively -- they're making life very difficult for our attack -- their primary objective is to concede nothing, and then hope to steal a goal somewhere along the way.

[saddlerian]

What the hell's going on??
We've got 2 wingers, a centre forward....a winger playing in midfield with 2 defensive midfielders...2 fullbacks....the a midfielder and fullback playing in the middle of defence!!

This is NOT a spectacle like the u19's this afternoon....

What are the tactics...they seem to be so muddled!!!

[SPL]

Missed the first 10mins ,the last cricket of the year. Panic when I saw no de Ligt as Frenkie can make silly mistakes as a defender. Few chances and we will just have to try and break them down and not concede.

[Amol]

I'll take a 3-0 win any day in the CL. Nico got a silly yellow card at the end.

The boys came out with a plan in the 2nd half. We did it with our captain the rock of our defense missing in action.

It was great to see Kasper get a run out in the middle.

[SPL]

Wow what a great 2nd half 3 great goals and we outplayed them.Replacing our best defender with an attacking midfielder didn't make any difference. Tagliafico a bit harsh for a yellow especially as they escaped some yellows and a penalty when Neres was brought down.

Great to be back in the CL,where we belong.

[Tom_]

AEK barely saw the ball in the second half. Great start to the CL season. Now I guess we hope for Bayern to thump Benfica?