Ajax seems to play in the first leg of the eighth final of the Champions League against Benfica on Wednesday evening as it has in recent weeks, according to the probable line-up of the team. General Newspaper† It would mean that Davy Klaassen has a basic place in the team of trainer Erik ten Hag, who in that case keeps Ryan Gravenberch on the reserve bench.
Gravenberch disappeared from the starting eleven before the game with Heracles Almelo (3-0 win), because he was absent due to a corona infection. Ten Hag has since invariably opted for a midfield with Klaassen, Edson Álvarez and Steven Berghuis. It seems that Ten Hag will now not make any changes in his line-up compared to the matches against FC Twente (5-0 win) and Willem II (0-1 win).
Jurriën Timber had to be changed in Tilburg on Saturday after he recorded the winning goal, but Ten Hag already indicated on Tuesday during the press conference in Lisbon that the defender would simply be there. “He has fully recovered. Except for the long-term injured such as Klaiber, Labyad, Brobbey and Stekelenburg, we have a fit selection with us. Labyad has a foot injury and is in a cast. I cannot answer what the expectation is.”
Nicolás Tagliafico, on the other hand, is fit again, after he was missing against Willem II. The Argentinian will normally take a seat on the reserve bench, as Daley Blind is Ajax’s trusted left back. Blind may be playing his 43rd Champions League match for Ajax, which would make him the player with the most appearances for Ajax in the billion-dollar ball. Ten Hag did not want to make Ajax a favorite during the press conference. “We focus on the game. Beforehand I can’t help but wonder if we are favourites. It is decided on the field. We have analyzed the opponent well, it is a strong opponent. An opponent who is also very good at taking advantage of mistakes made by the opponent.”
“Benfica can adapt very well to a very good team. We also know that we are. We don’t run away from that. It is Benfica’s strength to pull itself up to that and then come out extra strong. The center certainly brings a lot of experience. Those are class players. We will have to be very good tomorrow to create chances”, Ten Hag pointed out to the central duo consisting of Jan Vertonghen and Nicolás Otamendi. The game in the Estádio Da Luz will kick off on Wednesday evening at 9 p.m. and can be seen on RTL7 from 7:55 p.m.
Probable position of Ajax: feather; Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Blind; Álvarez, Klaassen, Berghuis; Anthony, Haller and Tadic.