Almost all potential opponents for Ajax in the eighth final of the Champions League are known. Erik ten Hag’s team finished at the top of Group C and therefore meets a runner-up from another group. Six of the seven possible opponents are now known. The draw will take place on Monday at noon in Nyon, Switzerland.
Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Sporting Portugal, Internazionale, Benfica, Red Bull Salzburg and Chelsea have finished as number two in their groups. Sporting already played against Ajax in the group stage and can therefore not roll out as an opponent again. Furthermore, the denouement in Group F is still pending. The match between Atalanta and Villarreal, the two potential runners-up, was canceled on Wednesday due to heavy snowfall. On Thursday, that match will be made up and all possible opponents of Ajax are known.
On Tuesday evening, Ten Hag kept quiet when he was asked about the possible opponents. “I don’t even look at draws, because you have no influence on it,” the Ajax coach said. “You know you’re going to get a number two. We’ll see what comes our way. We want to challenge the top and annoy the top. You know you’re going to have a very tough opponent. If you want a chance to continue , you have to be very good twice. But whichever opponent comes out, it is not impossible.”
Group winners (seeded status):
Manchester City
Liverpool
Ajax
Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
Manchester United
Lille OSC
Juventus
Runners-up (unplaced status):
Paris Saint Germain
Atletico Madrid
Sporting Portugal (cannot draw Ajax)
Internazionale
Benfica
Villarreal / Atalanta
Red Bull Salzburg
Chelsea