Ajax coach Frank de Boer has challenged his players to show what they are capable of when they travel to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
- By Michael Bell
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The Eredivisie champions go into the match at the Nou Camp without a win in the Champions League so far after draws against both PSG and APOEL Nicosia, but De Boer believes that if his side plays to their best, then they can come away from Spain with a good results.
De Boer said in his press conference, “We’ve played against the great teams and shown we have not been overawed by them,”
“In the Champions League we have grown and are convinced we can win this match. I hope people will see the best of us and that my players show what they can do – play well.
“They are Ajax players and have undoubted quality but we are up against a strong side and they must show that quality.
“Against Barca we cannot afford to make any mistakes, yet after the latest results in the Champions League the pressure is on both of us, so they want to get a good result as well,”
“The important thing is to play with our style and confidence. If we do that then I’ll be happy.
“Right now Barca have more quality based on experience, while our team is very young and has to learn to play in these type of games.For us this is good as our players will get to know the level of this League.”
The former Barcelona player then went on to praise Lionel Messi, who De Boer believes is undoubtedly the best in the world, “Messi is at the highest level in everything he does and shows that in every game. He has been the world’s best player four times, everyone knows that, and if he does it a fifth time he’ll also deserve that.
“He is breaking all records and it is incredible what he has done because he is still young. He’s at the top of his game, at 100 per cent, and for me he’s the best in the world, a complete footballer.”
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