What: Champions League – Group D
Who: Real Madrid vs Ajax
When: Tuesday 27th September, 2011, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
What Crisis?
Having dispatched Rayo Vallecano over the weekend, ending every murmur of crisis around the Bernabeu, Real Madrid prepare to welcome a European foe, in the form of Dutch giants Ajax in the second group fixture of the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League. Los Blancos know that anything less than a win could reignite talk of not all being well.
The 6-2 demolition of Rayo Vallecano was well received, as the team played with ten men for a large chunk of time when the score was 3-2 in their favour, showing resiliency and a will to win.
Club legend Emilio Butragueno dismissed any talk of crisis at the club after the match, while admitting that the win was a major boost for Real Madrid and their supporters: “I have spent almost 30 years related to Madrid and the word ‘crisis’ appeared whenever we did not win two games. We were not able to win [against Racing and Levante] and that caused some agitation. Today’s result is a boost for people in order to calm down”.
But Madrid are not in the clear just yet with a single win. Missing several first-teamers for this match, the squad will be challenged when they face four-time competition winners Ajax, in a true test of character that will really reveal their ability to compete amidst the hardships.
Vying for Second
Meetings between Real Madrid and Ajax have become a Champions League mini-derby in the last few seasons, with the two sides meeting twice at the same stage of the competition last year and the Whites claiming all the spoils on both occasions. However, Real Madrid do not appear to be at their absolute best, and Ajax will want to expose the gaps in their opponents’ armour.
But the Amsterdammers themselves are not enjoying their finest hour as recent draws in the league have seen them lose ground to AZ Alkmaar and FC Twente in the Eredivisie title race, while their Champions League campaign started with a draw against Lyon. Knowing that it would take a great deal of effort to top the group, a second place finish is the team’s only realistic chance of progression to the next round, and a result on the road in Madrid would be the ideal place to start.
The Dutch side will be breathing a sigh of relief as winger-cum-forward Miralem Sulejmani made his comeback from injury, scoring in the 1-1 draw against Twente recently. The Serbian remains one of the side’s best players, and his return will surely be welcomed by coach Frank de Boer.
Recent form
Real Madrid:
Levante 1-0 Real Madrid
(18/09; La Liga)
Racing Santander 0-0 Real Madrid (21/09; La Liga)
Real Madrid 6-2 Rayo Vallecano (24/09; La Liga)
Ajax:
PSV Eindhoven 2-2 Ajax
(18/09; Eredivisie)
Noordwijk 1-3 Ajax (21/09; KVNB Becker)
Ajax 1-1 FC Twente (24/09; Eredivisie)
Key absences
Real Madrid: Pepe; Fabio Coentrao; Hamit Altintop; Nuri Sahin; Ricardo Carvalho (doubt); Marcelo (suspended)
Ajax: Nicolai Boilesen; Bruno Silva (doubt)
Players to watch
Real Madrid – Cristiano Ronaldo: It is inevitable that Real Madrid play at their best when the Portuguese winger is in top gear. Ronaldo returned to form against Rayo Vallecano, scoring a hat-trick to pull his side out of their bout of depression. Expect him to be a nuisance all night long for the guests.
Ajax – Gregory van der Wiel: The Dutch international right back will be up against Ronaldo on the corresponding flank. Rated as an extremely talented full back, Van der Wiel will have to be at his absolute best to stop the Real Madrid star from wreaking havoc.
Match Prediction
Anything less than a win would surely sound alarm bells around Madrid once more. Luckily for Jose Mourinho and his side, Ajax are underdogs in this encounter and should struggle to stand up to a Real Madrid onslaught. The crowd will be behind the home team and that will give Los Blancos the advantage they have missed recently. Expect Real Madrid to come out on top 3-0.
This UEFA Champions League game between Real Madrid and Ajax looks packed full of action and potentially goals. Want to find the best bets to enjoy it even more? Visit OLBG.com where you can put your knowledge to use, find a range of tips and see the latest betting odds.
