Ajax can secure qualification for the eighth finals of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening. According to Sjaak Swart, things cannot go wrong now that the team from Amsterdam collected nine points from the first three games. “This can no longer go wrong and will no longer go wrong,” said Swart, who is hard on Erik ten Hag’s team following the loss of points against Heracles Almelo (0-0) in the Eredivisie.
With a victory over Dortmund, Ajax is certain of qualification for the eighth finals. If Sporting Portugal doesn’t beat Besiktas, even a draw is enough. Swart thinks that Ajax will join the last sixteen tonight. “If the players have learned from Heracles, because I find that loss of points stupid and incomprehensible,” says Swart in The Telegraph. “Then you book an important win at PSV and you give away two points in Almelo, while everyone has known for five years that it is just incredibly difficult there. And then play so unconcentrated…”, thus Mister Ajax after a deep sigh.
Swart hopes that Ten Hag’s team has learned from the duel with Heracles. “The Dortmund players are also waiting for you after that 4-0 in the Johan Cruijff ArenA”, Swart knows. “So everyone has to be razor sharp. And to be honest, that is easier in the Champions League than on Heracles’ artificial grass. But that slack in the Eredivisie has to go. Otherwise you are not a top team. Erik ten Hag knows how to put it down well in Europe – especially in away matches. So I’m counting on a response.”
Dortmund coach Marco Rose had telephone contact with Heracles coach Frank Wormuth this week. “We do have contact more often,” Rose said to various media on Tuesday. “And he knows what he’s talking about. We saw that again on Saturday, didn’t we?” On his way to the duel with Ajax, the German coach announced that he wants to do things ‘very differently’ than two weeks ago. “We’re not really going to kick. But football is a game of duels. Ajax is very good when it is at the ball. But we can also win duels from them and keep the ball ourselves.” Borussia Dortmund – Ajax starts tonight at 9 p.m.
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