Ajax must overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit to Real Madrid if they are to qualify for the Champions League quarterfinals. The Dutch side were let down by VAR in the first leg as a clear goal was not given. Now, Ajax must score twice while holding Real Madrid goalless to advance.
Real Madrid limp into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu having lost three of their last four games in all competitions. Two of those losses came against Barcelona last week.
Despite being handed a long-term contract, manager Santiago Solari is slowly working his way toward the Bernabeu exit. Real Madrid are once again being rumoured with Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino and a shock move for former manager Jose Mourinho.
Not only are Real Madrid going through a moment of uncertainty with Solari, but they go into Tuesday night’s game without captain Sergio Ramos. The centre-back was booked for a cynical tackle in the first leg. The yellow card meant Ramos would miss the second leg due to an accumulation of bookings.
However, after bragging about his booking, and that he had done it purposefully, UEFA extended his suspension for Real Madrid’s next Champions league fixture. While Ajax have a difficult scoreline to overturn, it could be made easier with Ramos looking on from the stands, however.
Despite suffering back to back El Clasico defeats and missing their captain, Real Madrid have more than enough firepower to defeat Ajax. Los Blancos were not at their best against Ajax in the first leg and still they nearly walked away with a 2-0 win. Real Madrid’s ability to spring an attack from nothing with Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr quickly turns defence into goalscoring chances.
Real Madrid and Ajax have met seven times in the last nine seasons in the Champions league. Real Madrid have won all seven of those games. Each fixture had featured 2.0 goals or more scored.
Meanwhile, six of the games featured over 2.5 goals scored. Solari needs his star winger Gareth Bale to step up against Ajax. Bale, who was the hero of last season’s Champions League Final, has failed to continue on this term. Bale was booed by Real Madrid fans during their week to forget and the Welshman still has a lot to prove. Especially after he talked up leaving post-Champions League Final.
Ajax’s task of winning isn’t impossible, but it is unlikely. Real Madrid have dominated their meetings against the Dutch side. Solari’s team will once again defeat Ajax and progress to the quarterfinals. Like their last six games, Tuesday night’s match will see over 2.5 goals scored.