Ajax need to turn around a two-goal deficit when Getafe visits Amsterdam on Thursday or their European campaign is over. Kick-off in Amsterdam is 8pm.
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Last week in Spain, Ajax were unrecognisable in a 2-0 loss at Getafe and now their European campaign is hanging by a thread.
The Spanish side frustrated Ajax from start to finish and the Dutch side could not deal with their physicality.
Speaking at his pre-game press conference, Erik ten Hag said he believes Getafe played well above their capabilities last week, “They rose above themselves last week. That was partly due to our game. As a result, powers were released that brought them to great heights and a 2-0 victory. ”
Ten Hag is still hopeful of progression, “We know where our chances and threats lie and especially what we need to do better.”
Ajax go into the second leg out of shape after they also slumped to a 1-0 loss at Heracles. However, Getafe were also on the end of a defeat after being hammered 3-0 at home to Sevilla.
Team News
Ajax will be without Hakim Ziyech for the clash after he was deemed not fit enough. Nicolas Tagliafico is also suspended while David Neres is still sidelined, along with Naoussair Mazraoui.
Quincy Promes is back in the squad though.
Possible Ajax line-up: Onana, Dest, Alvarez, Blind, Martinez, Eiting, Gravenberch, van de Beek, Tadic, Promes, Babel
Getafe have no suspensions or injuries ahead of the second leg, so could name the same line-up that proved too strong for Ajax last week.
Possible Getafe line-up: Soria, Suarez, Olivera, Etxeita, Ortega, Nyom, Cucurella, Maksimovic, Arambarri, Mata, Deyverson
Odds
Ajax 4/5 Draw 11/4 Getafe 7/2
Can Ajax book their place in the last 16?
Ajax were awful last week in Spain and against Heracles on Sunday, but hope is not all lost against Getafe on Thursday.
The Spaniards will turn up in Amsterdam looking to once again cause big frustration and kill the game. However, if Ajax can get an early goal and put the visitors under a lot of pressure then they are more than capable of winning this game by three clear goals.
The loss of Tagliafico and Ziyech is a major blow though and a lot will rely on Dusan Tadic finding some form that has been missing in recent weeks.
The Johan Cruijff ArenA will be sold out on Thursday and the home crowd will create an atmosphere to urge Ajax to what would be a big victory.
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