Zlatan Ibrahimovic could play against the club that was just until a few weeks ago his club. Ajax still remain a strong team and have the likes of Sneijder, Van der Vaart, and others like Trabelsi(potentially) to use. Predictions? I am going to predict a 1-1 draw with the respective defences of both teams playing the critical roles. Exciting at times, but contained for the rematch in Turin.
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] I'm cautiously optimistic after the good result at Brescia. I think a tie is also likely. Will the Ajax fans boo Ibrahimovic? Did he leave on good terms or bad? His goal vs Brescia was nice. Although it was a deflection and the goalie probably should've had it, the way he turned and bulled past two defenders, including Gigi DiBiagio, was mighty impressive. I see now why they picked him up.
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] Hi Sue, To answer your question on how he left Amsterdam... well he was persona non grata for a couple of weeks already there with the fans and his team mates because of the elbowing and kicking he did when Sweden played Holland in a friendly... So expect a lot of abuse from the fans towards Zlatan. So not sure if he will play actually. I hope he does and that he scores the winning goal, that would really shut them up!!!! I think we should be able to beat them though, I will be there to cheer the boys on. Forza Juve!!!!!!
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] 1-incorrect 2-perhaps 3-correct 4-he may even start, but he'll play - zlatan also sad he will not celebrate any goal he might score at the ArenA
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] Can someone do the PBP for the match? Is there an Italian station where we can watch the streaming vid of the match?
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] No Italian video, more likely to find something from Asia, though I'm not aware of any specific broadcast. I'm sure there will be posters following the game via Canadian TV or Italian audio/text webcasts who will post updates in this thread. I'll try to be around, but I have to pick up my kid at the bus stop around 3, so I'll miss the start.
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] If you like text broadcasts, the UEFA champions league site has some, likely in any language. I'm following the Arsenal versus PSV game for instance. Its a decent way to follow the game without being able to see it live.
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is being tipped to start against his former club Ajax in their UEFA Champions League opener. Ibrahimovic came on a substitute on his Juve debut and scored in the 3-0 victory over Brescia. Now it is being reported that Alessandro Del Piero could be dropped by coach Fabio Capello to make way for the talented Swede. Ibrahimovic explained how much he enjoyed his time in Amsterdam. "Ajax helped me grow, but I felt myself ready for a really big team and I chose Juve," said Ibrahimovic. "I consider myself a winning player and I want to win either the Scudetto or Champions League." Ibrahimovic also admitted that should he find the net at The Amsterdam ArenA, he will not be celebrating. "In case of me scoring, I won't celebrate," he said. "I have still a big respect for my former supporters and my former team-mates."
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] Ah come on Blue, he was not greatly loved at the end anymore... It was a big scandal that he was so violent on the pitch vs team mates and it was a very big issue in the dutch media. VdV said on NOS sport that he did not even want to play with him anymore straight after the incident. So don't give me that perhaps and incorrect BS!
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] Zlatan will probably be greeted decently, but I'm sure some people will behave differently. He's always been a special case in the eyes of Ajax fans and the Sweden-NL match didn't really help. But the general consensus is that he deserves some respect. As long as he behaves (if he plays) I don't expect any abuse towards him. No guarantuee though, as most Ajax fans are still quite frustrated about certain things at Ajax, and Zlatan being sold to Juve without taking care of decent replacement is one of them. At least it will be Sonck's chance to prove his worth. He's not as good a footballer as Zlatan, but I think he's able to be an easier goal scorer than Zlatan is. Anyway, we'll see what happens. I don't expect anything and would settle for a point.
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] you didnt claim he wasnt greatly loved, you claimed he was persona non grata - grow a brain stem
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] Probable lineup [4-4-2] Buffon; Birindelli, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Olivera, Emerson, Blasi, Nedved; Trezeguet, Del Piero. Bench: Chimenti, Legrottaglie, Tudor, Pessotto, Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Ibrahimovic.
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] If Capello has any intelligence at all, he won t do the potentially deadly act of barbarism of unleashing Ibrahimovic onto the field in this particular stadium...
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] Juve's starting lineup Buffon, Birindelli, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Blasi, Emerson, Camoranesi, Nedved, Del Piero, Ibrahimovic
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] Seems that there's a lot of back and forth going on in the game, both sides seem to be applying the pressure.
Re: CL Matchday 1 - Ajax vs Juventus [R] 16' - Yellow card to Nedved. This is the same ref that gave Nedved the yellow in the CL semi's two years ago and prevented him from playing in the final.