TUE 05 NOV 2019 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - GROUP H 20:00 Venue: Stamford Bridge, London N'Golo Kante is back. Ross Barkley (ankle) and Andreas Christensen (thigh) are also in training after injury lay-offs last month. Ajax have never lost an away Champions League match in England (W1 D3 L0), winning most recently away at Spurs in April 2019. Their last away European Cup defeat on English soil was in April 1980, a 2-0 semi-final defeat against Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest side. Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has managed more away UEFA Champions League games without losing than any other manager (seven games), winning five and drawing two. Only two managers have lost none of their first eight away games in the competition - Louis van Gaal (first 14 games) and Pep Guardiola (first 11 games).
Could be a great game, certainly has the potential. Ajax play some good football, have little fear of anyone away from home (oh, the joys of a young team) and our recent home "form" leaves a tad bit to be desired.Certainly nothing to make them go all defensive. Three points for either team here and they are all but assured of qualifying for the next round.Can't see any other game play here than both teams going all out for a win. Which is actually good for us, as we are far better at going at teams than playing cautious and waiting for a mistake. Now then, at what point do you look at certain players and say "that lad needs a rest" Willian? Pulisic? Mount? Tammy? Those players are putting some serious running in.It's early in the season, no need to knacker them out just yet..plus we have a fuker of a home game coming up early Saturday with a team that absolutely reserves one of their top three performances of the season for Chelsea. Is the Yank ready for what will certainly be a display of the uglier side of football on Saturday, as they try to kick him off the field? I'm sure he gets lumps in concacaf, but Palace will be a whole other level. If we keep winning...do we have to forfeit something because the players are knackered? Asking for a friend.
I'd like to see James more, and think we will, but AZ was huge and sublime last Ajax match, so I'd go with that and experience; also why I'd stick with Kovaginho after last match (forgetting they were shite against MU, though no Tammy or Mount may have contributed, which is not a knock against Billy, who I thought was best of 3 on the day) and save Kante for CP when Jorginho will rest unless needed. I think I would give James a go against CP, and rest Willian against CPal, to see the future wing duo switch up all day, CPal are very tough and can't be taken the least bit lightly, but Kante, and James speed will help cover for Az's experience and Willian's D and work rate
The issue with playing Billy and Jorginho with Kovacic is that it's basically three of the same mids or in this case 2 similar in Billy and Jorginho. Not one of those 3 is really going to push up also Mount is hugely important for us in that he kind of sets the tempo for us with his pressing. Also, his ability to get into attacking positions is only matched by RLC. So I think it's safe to say that Jorginho and Kovacic are great together when they have someone in midfield who really pushes forward.
Who I'd like to see us play today: Kepa Dave Zouma Tomori Emerson Jorginho Kova Mount Pulisic Tammy CHO
Don't know for certain yet, but suspect Ajax will be fielding an attacking lineup with Alvarez dropping out and Neres starting up front. Over the weekend, Ziyech played at 10 with Promes, Tadic, and Neres up front. van de Beek drops little further back in the MF but the defensive duties are largely left to Martinez (he suffered a knock to his knee but reports are he is fit). Remainder of the team is the same as started two weeks ago. This will be another entertaining match!! Unfortunately, I have a Board meeting and will only watch the recorded replay later today. Good luck to both sides!!!
1Arrizabalaga 28Azpilicueta 15Zouma 29Tomori 3Alonso 5Jorginho 17Kovacic 10Willian 19Mount 22Pulisic 9Abraham Substitutes 4Christensen 7Kanté 13Caballero 20Hudson-Odoi 23Batshuayi 24James 47Gilmour
How come Lamp hate Europeans and English wings, only plays wings from the Americas North and South...is it merit or...
How bad was the own goal? Tammy’s been struggling a bit on set piece defense this year, so not a shock I suppose.
Absolutely frenetic start to this one. Those hoping for some starters to rest are getting the exact opposite here so far. Not only are they playing but they're being forced to run around like mad