For Jan Vertonghen, Wednesday’s Champions League squatter against Ajax will be a new reunion with his old club. The 34-year-old center defender of Benfica currently considers the team from Amsterdam to be ‘one of the best teams in the world’ and knows that it will be difficult. “It will not be an easy game, but we are playing at home and we need our fans,” Vertonghen said at the press conference.
Vertonghen played six seasons in Ajax’s first team and still follows the club closely. “It can be an advantage,” said the Belgian international. “Every weekend I watch their matches in the Netherlands. We have analyzed Ajax and we know the team well.” Vertonghen does not think that Ajax is an easier opponent than other options such as Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid or Manchester City. “I put Ajax at the same level, or maybe even higher than the teams you mention. There are a few top favorites for the Champions League, but Ajax is not far from that in my opinion.”
It has been rumbling for months at Benfica, that the connection with FC Porto and Sporting Portugal has been lost in the competition. Friday gifts as aguias against Boavista (2-2) a 0-2 lead. “I have a lot of confidence in the team,” said Vertonghen. “The last games have not gone well, but I am confident. We have already played great games in the Champions League and I believe tomorrow will be great. We have a team with defensive quality and we can attack too.”
Benfica said goodbye to Jorge Jesus at the end of December, who could no longer count on support from its own supporters. Nélson Veríssimo was appointed as interim trainer, but is also under great pressure after just two months. “If I feel I am part of the problem there is no other way but to leave, but I think I am part of the solution,” Veríssimo said at the press conference.
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag said he estimates the chances of continuing at 50/50, where the bookmakers give the team from Amsterdam more than an 80 percent chance. Veríssimo, however, agrees with Ten Hag. “Without bragging, I think the odds are 50/50,” said Benfica’s coach. “I really mean that, yes. Ajax is one of the best teams in Europe offensively, but we also have weapons.”