02 OCT 2018; Bayern - Ajax; CL Group Match Day 2

[Orange14]

Ajax travel to Munich for a game against Bayern that is sure to rekindle memories of past battles between these two storied European clubs. Bayern have struggled in their past two matches, drawing against Augsburg and dropping a 0-2 match to Hertha this past Friday. In both matches they were quite poor and it seems as if new manager Nico Kovac is struggling to find the right combination of players. While the German club is likely to be favored in this match, Ajax have more than enough skilled players to make this a competitive game. A draw would be a good result for Ajax.

[Ayman]

But if Ten Hag plays Eiting again and leaves out Donny van de Beek.....that would be a farce! Especially for a game of this magnitude

[Orange14]

de Jong is on the 22 man travel squad going to Munich (only 18 can be in the match day team) along with Wöber, who missed Saturday's game because of illness, and Gravenberch.

EDIT: For those in the US, the match will be televised on Univision Desportes, our Spanish Language cable outlet. It will be a Czech officiating team headed by Pavel Královec for the match.

[Amol]

For some reason, I'm not very scared about today's game. Maybe I'm delusional

[SPL]

Wober at CD and Blind in midfield with Schone and v d Beek.Tadic central striker with Ziyech and Neres up front. Bold changes but Blind and Schone both in Mf , but both too slow

[Amol]

Wober at CD and Blind in midfield with Schone and v d Beek.Tadic central striker with Ziyech and Neres up front. Bold changes but Blind and Schone both in Mf , but both too slow

Those are certainly bold changes. Screwed my Fantasy Team a bit by dropping Huntelaar.

[Orange14]

Just when I think ten Hag has a clue he puts out something like this formation. Perhaps he is playing for a draw, who really knows.

[#14]

It appears Univision will be showing the Madrid match

[Ayman]

Maybe Tadic is the invisible striker that will draw defenders and van de Beek penetrates the penalty area. All in all on paper Bayern Munich are a much stronger side. The Alliance Arena is like a fortress

[kezme44]

we can come out of this with a draw. i have not been impressed by bayern this year. it's the first time in 7-8 years where i actually think another team might beat them to the title. looks like we will be crowding the midfield and making bayern be creative, which they have not been the last few games. however, we are playing in their house so it will be difficult. not having frankie is a big loss, but bayern are also missing koman, tolisso, and rafinha.

[Ayman]

Bayern Munich are too strong for Ajax. Bayern will score early. Full time score 4-1.

[Ayman]

1-0 Robben........

[Orange14]

Too easy. Nobody marking Hummels

[Orange14]

Well I would have never picked him to score

[kezme44]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

[Tom_]

Mazraoui! I wasn't expecting that!

Ajax can't really deal with the pressure through the middle of the pitch. Passing and ball handling too sluggish. Bayern get men forward so quickly after they gain possession there.

[Amol]

Stuck in meetings all day - reading updates here and on uefa.com.

But 1-1!!

[Orange14]

Wow, what a half of football. I thought it was all over when Hummels went unmarked (can't figure out who was supposed to have him) and scored in the fourth minute. Ajax then settled down and what a nice play by Tadic to find Mazraoui for the game leveler. It really would have been something had Ziyech's screamer when in near the end of the half. Ajax are still too slow on the ball compared to Bayern and Schöne is very uncomfortable with the pressure. Let's hope for some quicker ball movement and let's win this game.

[kezme44]

gotta move all those meetings Amol, clear up the calendar!

good first half. ziyech had a dangerous shot on goal in the final minutes. must close down things in the middle. but we are getting chances to move the ball and get forward.

[Tom_]

Yep, not being dominated as much as I thought after 15 mins.

Ziyech had a good half and I much prefer Neres out on the left. Sort of playing a lopsided 4-4-2 with Tadic central and Neres at left wing, and Ziyech in MF.

[Tom_]

Really had some chances to steal this one. Unlucky!

[Ayman]

It's a shame Ajax didn't come away with a win, that said, before the game we would be happy with a point away to Bayern!

[Manneken Pis]

Two away points dropped against a team that had won their last 12 CL home games.

[Amol]

What did I say before the game? I'm not very scared about this Bayern team.

Its great that we were able to come back to draw away in this game. This team is going to grow because of this game and I'm fairly certain that we're going to make the group stages based on tonight's game.

[kezme44]

what a great game. could have won this 3-1. tagliafico, tadic and van de beek with big chances, especially the last one. schone hitting the bar late. unlucky but we stole a point away and still top if the group!