The line-up of Ajax for the return match against Young Boys in the Europa League is known. The team from Amsterdam will play with Daley Blind, who has recovered after two games of absence. Jurriën Timber is replaced in the center of the back by Edson Álvarez, meaning Blind plays in midfield. Ajax defends a 3-0 lead in the eighth final of the Europa League. The match starts on Thursday evening at 9 p.m. in Stadion Wankdorf in Bern.
Apart from Blind, who will join the team for the sick Timber, Ajax will play with the same players as last Thursday in the first game with Young Boys. Erik ten Hag could have chosen to let Lisandro Martínez and Blind form a completely left-footed central duo together, but seems to be opting for Álvarez as center-back. The right-footed Mexican still played as a midfielder in the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Maarten Stekelenburg also defends the goal on Thursday evening and Devyne Rensch and Nicolás Tagiliafico occupy the back positions. In the center of the back are Álvarez and Martínez, while Blind and Ryan Gravenberch form the controlling block in midfield. Number ten Davy Klaassen plays just behind center forward Dusan Tadic. The wing tips are Antony and David Neres.
Noussair Mazraoui is still unavailable due to a visual injury. Jurriën Timber also has to let go of the game. The defender was missing against PEC Zwolle on Sunday because he was ill and did not travel to Switzerland. Despite knee complaints, Blind did travel along. Although Ten Hag said he wanted to wait and see how he would get out of Wednesday-evening’s training, the the Dutch-international can therefore start.
Miralem Sulejmani is back in the base at the side of Young Boys. The former Ajax player again occupies the left-half position in trainer Gerardo Seoane’s 4-4-2 system. The coach makes one change compared to the first game: Vincent Sierro
plays instead of Michel Aebischer.
Lineup Young Boys: Faivre; Hefti, Camera, Lustenberger, Lefort; Fassnacht, Sierro, Lauper, Sulejmani; Meschack, Nsame.
Ajax setup: Stekelenburg; Rensch, Alvarez, Martinez, Tagliafico; Gravenberch, Klaassen, Blind; Antony, Tadic, Neres