Dynamo Kiev host Ajax on Tuesday night in the Champions League playoffs. Ajax take a 3-1 aggregate lead into the second leg match. Dynamo were able to gain a vital away goal in the first match, which could prove important in getting them through to the group stage.
Ajax have one foot in the group stage going into the match. However, the Dutch will need to be defensively resilient to gain passage to the next round. Dynamo’s fans will create a difficult atmosphere to help their side.
Donny van de Beek, Hakim Ziyech, and Dusan Tadic tallied goals for Ajax in the first leg. All three will play important roles in Kiev on Tuesday. Ajax joined the Champions league at the second round qualifying stage. Since entering the competition, Ajax have scored freely. The Dutch club has scored 13 goals in just five matches in the tournament. Meanwhile, Ajax’s defence has allow just four goals in qualifying.
Dynamo joined the Champions League qualifying stages in the third round. They haven’t been as free flowing in front of goal as Ajax, but Dynamo have still tallied four goals. Unfortunately, the team has allowed four goals for a goal difference of zero.
Alyaksandr Khatskevich will need his team to attack from the start. Down three goals, Dynamo could overturn the aggregate score with a 3-0 win. The scoreline would allow the Ukrainians to win the playoff tie thanks to their away goal in the first leg. However, overturning the deficit is easier said than done.
Ajax have played Dynamo previously in the Champions league. That came in 2010 as Ajax won the tie with an aggregate 3-2 win. The Dutch team is currently rolling along in the Champions League. Ajax missed out on qualification to both the Champions League and Europa League group stages last term. The club has incentive to make the group stage this season and has spent money to get it there.
Erik Ten Hag’s team have scored at least two goals in each of their last six Champions League matches. The last four of those games have seen more than 2.5 goals scored. Tuesday night’s fixture will see goals scored and over 2.5 is highly likely.
Khatskevich’s Dynamo will attack from the start and it will put them on the front foot. Playing in front of their supporters will help the club. Dynamo will be able to get the win on Tuesday night, but Ajax will score an away goal to seal progression back to the Champions league group stages.