Juventus will have Cristiano Ronaldo back in the team for their Champions League quarterfinal first leg match against Ajax. At least those are the expectations in Turin. But will the Portuguese player be enough to power past Ajax?
The Dutch club shocked Real Madrid in the previous round to go through, although the result shouldn’t have been a shock to anyone who has watched either team this season. With one giant killing to their name already, Juventus must be worried about a possible upset at the hands of Ajax.
The Bianconeri are confident Ronaldo will be in the starting XI. It may not be confirmed until near game time that he will start, however. His inclusion will be a major boost as Ronaldo has tallied 24 goals and 12 assists in 36 games. But just as Ronaldo looks fit to take part, Juventus revealed on Monday that centre-back Giorgio Chiellini is a doubt to play. Chiellini suffered a calf injury in training on Monday and looks set to miss out completely.
There are more fitness issues for Massimiliano Allegri as Juan Cuadrado, Douglas Costa, and Sami Khedira are fighting to be fit. Khedira had to be replaced at the weekend by the just returned Emre Can. Juventus have suffered injuries at the wrong time of the season.
While Juventus are sweating the fitness of key players, Ajax go into the first leg in good shape. Erik ten Hag’s side is coming off of a 4-1 win over Willem II in the Dutch Eredivisie to move level with PSV Eindhoven at the top of the table. But Ajax’s all-out attack has led them above their rivals thanks to goal difference. Right-back Noussair Mazraoui will return to the team following suspension. Meanwhile, Hassane Bande and Carel Eiting are both struggling with respective injuries and could miss out on the fixture.
This is the furthest Ajax have progressed in the Champions League since 1996-97 when they made the semifinals. Juventus were the team that knocked Ajax out during that season’s competition thank to a 6-2 aggregate scoreline.
Ajax and Juventus have not met since the 2009-10 Europa League season. The clubs have met four times since 2004 with Juventus obtaining three wins and a draw. But this is a different Ajax team that is good enough to progress. Ronaldo will be the difference maker for Juventus as he has always been for his clubs. That is if he plays.
Ajax can score goals as they put five past Real Madrid in the last round. Juventus were held to a clean sheet while keeping a clean sheet in the prior round against Atletico Madrid. Juventus will just edge the first leg as their defence does enough to limit Ajax’s chances.