16 Feb 2012: Ajax - Manchester United FC

[Kowalczyk]

UEFA Europa League, Round of 32, 1st Leg.

Kick-off time at the Amsterdam ArenA is 19:05 (?) CET.

K.

[aveslacker]

I have to say, it's really hard to muster any kind of enthusiasm for this game.

[Orange14]

I have to say, it's really hard to muster any kind of enthusiasm for this game.

Weird thing is that even with the injuries and poor play in the league, the club has played well in all the CL matches this season (including the two Madrid games). I suspect they will get up for ManU and collapse in the next league match.

[The Purple Cow Again]

I'm coming to this game, my first Ajax game since I left Nederland in 2009. My wife and kids brought me the tickets for my upcoming birthday.

I'm looking forward to the trip, having a beer in o'Donnels and a curry at the Balti House for old time's sake, meeting up with a couple of old friends - but the game itself could be an embarrassment.

[The Purple Cow Again]

Just occurred to me that I should find out if O'D's and the Balti House still exist...

How is progress with the Noord-Zuidlijn???

[GangstaRiB]

How is progress with the Noord-Zuidlijn???

Should be finished in the year 3000 AD

[Orange14]

I don't think we can do any worse against ManU than Liverpool did this afternoon. They were really terrible and to think that they spent probably over €100M to bring these new players into the club over the past 12 months. They were slower in the midfield than we are. Still given all of the injuries we have, I don't expect much unfortunately.

[SPL]

Enoh likely to be out . Talk that Boilesen may be fit but he only plays his first game for 4 months tomorrow for Jong Ajax. Must give him another couple of weeks before risking his hamstring at first team level .No idea when V d Wiel will be fit . I suppose Janssen will be fit and we will be lumbered with de Jong and Vermeer still. I would be happy at restricting them to 3 . Yes I know its a home game but they will put out a first team and on current form will destroy us in both games.

[Orange14]

they will put out a first team and on current form will destroy us in both games.

You only have to read this: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... ue?cc=5901 ManU don't play next weekend since they are out of the FA cup and we could see all their first team players on Thursday!!! Given their total destruction of Liverpool yesterday (Suarez just got a lucky goal), I can't see our midfield doing much at all. Lots of passes between Vertonghen, Alderweireld and Vermeer will be the game plan.

[acab]

Ah, so many believers, so much optimism :))) It's refreshing

[Manneken Pis]

My guess is thta we'll come out of the gates strongly, and create a few chances.
We then need a bit of luck, or a long range free kick.
After that Man U will start to exert a strnagle-hold and we'll need to hang on.

Despite all the pessimism I fancy a draw.

[Philippe]

From my understanding, reading the official site, Boilesen could play !

[SPL]

sounds that way ie Boilesen could play.I just think that after 4 months of injury and he played 60 mins last night should he be playing a possible 90 mins 3 days later v man U .I would hope he does not play but waits until Sundays league game.

[Orange14]

The "bad" news is that Janssen may have recovered sufficiently enough to play. Now Ryan Giggs is 8-9 years older and can run circles around him. We will get crushed in the midfield if Theo is on the pitch for even 10 minutes. Maybe FdB will finally learn the lesson here. As with SPL, I hope Boilesen does not play or if he does it's a 10 minute run out at the end of the match (assuming we still have a substitution left).

[Philippe]

The "bad" news is that Janssen may have recovered sufficiently enough to play.

All this anti-Janssen stuff makes me feel uneasy. He recently has not been playing well, but who has ?

[aveslacker]

The "bad" news is that Janssen may have recovered sufficiently enough to play.

All this anti-Janssen stuff makes me feel uneasy. He recently has not been playing well, but who has ?

The problem is that Janssen has never fit in with this team. And a lot of us pointed that out before he was signed last year. Frank has continually tried to fit him in a system that doesn't work for him.

[Orange14]

Sorry that I keep ragging on Janssen but I was opposed to the transfer from the beginning. Anyway, according to the papers today he will not play tomorrow. Also for ManU, Giggs, Evra and Berbatov will not make the trip. I guess Evra is being left home so that all the Suarez fans in the Arena won't have someone to target! Boilesen is on the match day roster.

[Philippe]

Here we go : Enoh and Janssen out, Boilesen back.

Kenneth Vermeer
Jasper Cillessen
Toby Alderweireld
Jan Vertonghen
Vurnon Anita
Miralem Sulejmani
Christian Eriksen
Siem de Jong
Nicolai Boilesen
Daley Blind
Nicolas Lodeiro
Dmitry Bulykin
Aras Özbiliz
Ismaïl Aissati
Thulani Serero
Ricardo van Rhijn
Dico Koppers
Jody Lukoki

[acab]

Opstelling Ajax: Vermeer, Anita, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Koppers, De Jong, Aissati, Eriksen, Özbiliz, Bulykin en Sulejmani.

Good, Bulykin is playing.

[Orange14]

I'm glad he is not risking Boilesen as a starter. This is going to one tough match to get a favorable result.

[paladinby]

It's good to see Bulykin again in starting line-up. I'd be more happy to see Lodeiro instead of any midfielders too.

Generally I'm kinda optimistic for no real reason.

[SPL]

Spoilt tonight as its on our Chanel 5 on ordinary Tv . Chanel 5 dutch football back in the early 2000's was when I first started watching Ajax on Tv.

Glad Bulykin is playing and Boilesen is only a sub .

[Ayman]

Look at the midfield S. de Jong - Eriksen - Aissati

Without a defensive midfielder We are toast!!!

[Van basten]

WTF was that Koppers!?

[aveslacker]

Look at the midfield S. de Jong - Eriksen - Aissati

Without a defensive midfielder We are toast!!!

I'm glad that at least he's playing Aissati.