The line-up of Ajax for the Champions League match against Benfica is known, reports The Telegraph† Erik ten Hag opts for security in midfield and gives Ryan Gravenberch a base again; in recent weeks his midfield with Davy Klaassen has been more offensive. The first meeting between Benfica and Ajax in the eighth final of the Champions League starts at 9 p.m. in Estádio da Luz.
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. With that setup Ajax was not only successful against Heracles, but also against FC Twente (5-0 win) and Willem II (0-1 win). Nevertheless, the choice now falls on Gravenberch, which means that Klaassen is on the bench. 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 can’t answer what the expectation is,” said Ten Hag. Nicolás Tagliafico, on the other hand, is fit again, after he was missing against Willem II. The Argentinian takes place on the reserve bench, as Daley Blind is the trusted left back of Ajax. Blind plays his 43rd Champions League match for Ajax, making him the player with the most appearances for Ajax in the billion-dollar ball.
Ajax setup: feather; Mazraoui, Timber, Martinez, Blind; Alvarez, Berghuis, Gravenberch; Anthony, Haller, Tadic.
