Ajax’s chances of winning the Champions League were once again the subject of discussion in the program on Sunday evening Studio Football of the NOS. Ibrahim Afellay thinks that Ajax should certainly be able to reach the quarterfinals and states that the team from Amsterdam has acquired an ‘extra weapon’ with Sébastien Haller. Where Arno Vermeulen is convinced of the chance of Ajax to win the billion-dollar ball, Rafael van der Vaart thinks that the leader of the Eredivisie does not stand a chance.
Ajax’s chances of winning the Champions League are included in the program Studio Football of the NOS not brought up for the first time, as Pierre van Hooijdonk previously said that he considered Ajax capable of reaching the Champions League final. Afellay is asked whether his opinion has changed after last week – in which Ajax beat Borussia Dortmund (4-0) and PSV (5-0).
“I have indicated that Ajax can certainly reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. If you humiliate Germany’s number two in such a way, you don’t have to be afraid of anyone. Now that Haller is distinguishing himself on a technical level, Ajax has gained an extra weapon with him”, Afellay responds. Van der Vaart is also pleased with Haller: “I thought he played insanely, really unbelievable what he did on Tuesday and today. Of course that has to do with confidence, but he has proven himself. It had to be, because I also watched matches in which he couldn’t do anything. He is also playing very well now.”
Van Hooijdonk then asks which team is currently playing better football in Europe than Ajax. Afellay points to Manchester City because, in his words, the England champion also has more ‘experienced players who are tried and tested’ in the ranks. “Bayern Munich”, Van der Vaart continues. “No, Ajax doesn’t stand a chance of winning the Champions League. Are you saying they are better than Bayern Munich? They are much better, Manchester City too. It’s an interesting discussion.”
“Win the Champions League?”, Van der Vaart asks his table companions again. “That means when you loot Manchester City, you have to beat them twice. You all look at me… Me as an Ajax player, you are always whining. But I’m saying they’re just not going to make it. Suppose they come up against Manchester City, with Kevin De Bruyne on ten. Then Álvarez thinks he’s been on the merry-go-round. Things like that are going to happen and it doesn’t matter that much.”
However, Vermeulen does think that Ajax has a serious chance of winning the Champions League. “The fact that Ajax plays in the Dutch league makes it more difficult. But you see what happens against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. I think they are among the best five teams in Europe and then you can reach or win a final. They are that close in quality. They have a top trainer, a top team, Haller is now fortunately registered, a reserve bench: there is no reason why they cannot win the Champions League.”