I realize that JOB will likely not play, but I just wanted everyone to be aware that the game is being televised live on ESPN2 at 2:30 pm EST. Inter will be without Cannavaro. Ajax and Inter are tied for the Group D lead with 8 points, while Lyon is lurking with 7.
Well said-Hatem may play. Back line looks to be (L to R) Van Damme, De Jong/Yakubu, Bergdolmo, Trabelsi. Mido has to come up big with Sikora and vdMeyde as the wingers. Midfield probably will be Maxwell, vdVaart, and Galasek. In goal, it's either Didiluca (gave up a poor goal on Friday) or Timmer (who got caught driving drunk late week). For Inter, only missing starter is Cannavaro. Cordoba will likely replace him. Another question who starts alongside Vieri up top. Cuper could go 4-4-2 with Crespo up top, or he could use Recoba as a withdrawn forward. My .02--biggest player for Inter should be Di Biagio--and whether he can corral vdV.
Chivu will be missed. It's good Trabelsi can play, he's been a rock for the past 6 months or so. This is going to be interesting. Big game for van der Vaart as buff noted.
They are doing their damdest to get Litman ready actually. If all goes well you might see VDV up front with Mido and Litman in the hole. The backline, however, is in trouble due to injuries, red cards, and inexperience. Theybette keep pressure on Inter the entire game because Ajax backline won't holdup to any extended pressure
Well this just tipped the scale. I'm not returning to the office after my 1.30 meeting, even if JOB isn't playing.
Starting 11's: Ajax: Didiluca; Trabelsi, Bergdolmo, De Jong, van Damme; Galasek, Pienaar, Maxwell; vdVaart, Mido, vdMeyde. Subs: Timmer, Witschge, van Halst, Wamberto, Machlas, Yakubu, Sikora On a side note, I think it would be a hoot if Machlas comes in and gets Ajax through. Inter: Toldo; Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi, Coco; Sergio Conceicao, Di Biagio, Almeyda, Morfeo; Crespo, Vieri. Subs: Fontana, Emre, Adani, Recoba, Okan, Pasquale, Vivas
Good goal disallowed for Ajax 8 mins in...VanderVaart poking home a rebound after an excellent Toldo save. Onside all the way.
To Misters Smyth and Hill... And Inter has six Italians in its starting lineup, guys. It's not unusual.
Agreed. Good skill on the ball from Mido or whoever it was in the center there. Ajax dominating the last 5 mins or so. Can they get a goal??? Nearly had one from the cross there.
Trabelsi is so, so good in attack. Ajax needs to take advantage of these yellows...try to get a second on MM or FC.