Glenn Helder warns Ajax about Benfica. The former international thinks that Ajax is not dissatisfied with the outcome of the second Champions League draw, after Internazionale initially came out, but points to Benfica’s ability to disrupt the game and then strike quickly when the opportunity presents itself. presents. Helder played for Benfica in 1996 as an Arsenal mercenary.
“Benfica will do everything to disrupt the game”, Helder predicts in conversation with The Telegraph. “But if the Ajax players have the focus and reach their normal level, they have a very good chance of reaching the quarterfinals.” The former attacker predicts a defensive playing style from Benfica. “But the team is also capable of standing in front of the Ajax keeper through the right back after three passes.”
“Everything is allowed in Portugal to win: making theatre, asking for cards and spades. That is why Ajax’s positional play must be perfectly taken care of. If the team meets Ten Hags standard and the ball tempo is killer, the Benfica defenders do not even get the chance to kick,” Helder teaches. “In my time at Benfica, Portuguese teams loved to play against naive Dutch clubs, but now they prefer not to meet Ajax anymore.”
The draw has also been responded to in Portugal. Luisão, technical director of Benfica, speaks of a ‘classic between two clubs with a rich European tradition’. “We know it will be difficult. Ajax was spectacular in the group stage. We have already played against a Dutch club (PSV, ed.) this season and we know that we will have a tough opponent.”