John Heitinga has announced Ajax’s line-up for the Europa League match against Union Berlin. Edson Álvarez starts in Berlin in the base. The Mexican was injured against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. Owen Wijndal loses his place to Calvin Bassey, who could end up in the left back position. It could also just be that Heitinga opts for a 3-4-3 formation, with Álvarez operating shortly before the defense. The match starts at 9 p.m. and can be viewed on Veronica and ESPN 2.
Gerónimo Rulli played excellently in the first leg and again defends the goal at Ajax. Devyne Rensch covers the right side of the defense, which therefore consists of three or four defenders. In any case, Jurriën Timber and Bassey can be found in the back. Álvarez could be the fourth defender, or play defensively in midfield. Because Union Berlin operates with two attackers, a defense consisting of three men is not unthinkable.
Furthermore, the diaphragm is completed by Davy Klaassen, Mohammed Kudus and Kenneth Taylor. Heitinga sees no reason to change in the front. Steven Bergwijn starts again from his favorite spot in the front left, Dusan Tadic is the striker and Steven Berghuis plays from the right.
???? @GeroRulli: ‘in Argentina it’s the same’ #UEL #fcuaja pic.twitter.com/vjT0cFTHJW
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 22, 2023
After the goalless draw in Amsterdam last Thursday, Union Berlin got the chance to take the lead in the Bundesliga on Saturday. In order to achieve that, we had to those Eisen deal with Schalke 04, but they failed to do so: 0-0. Despite the disappointing result, Union once again managed to keep its goal clean. The team of trainer Urs Fischer only conceded 24 goals in the Bundesliga this season. Trainer Urs Fischer has an almost fit selection against Ajax. András Schäfer is still missing due to a foot injury. Diogo Leite was not there against Schalke due to illness, but has recovered from it. Sheraldo Becker is also there. The born Amsterdammer was reserve against Schalke at his own request, but is just back from the start against his ex-club Ajax.
Ajax was 4-0 too strong for Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. The team from Amsterdam has been undefeated since the appointment of John Heitinga, despite not being able to fire a shot on target in the first leg against Union. Man in shape at Ajax is Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian scored from a free kick against Sparta for the first time in Amsterdam service and this season was good for four hits and two assists in seven official matches in a European context. Judging by the statistics, Ajax needn’t worry too much if Union scores a goal. The Germans have scored one or no goals in their last eleven European games. When it comes to penalties, the teams have prepared differently. Union has practiced on that, while Heitinga indicated that Ajax ‘has not been involved in that at all’.
Lineup Union Berlin: Ronnow; Knoche, Doekhi, Leite, Roussillon, Juranovic; Khedira, Laidouni, Haberer; Behrens, Becker
Setup Ajax: Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Bassey; Kudus, Alvarez, Klaassen, Taylor; Mountain house, Tadic, Mountain wine.