Ajax eliminated Real Madrid in the round of 16 thanks to an emphatic away leg 4-1 win. Can the Dutch club do the same against Juventus in Turin?
Juventus welcome Ajax to the Allianz Stadium with the tie level at one goal apiece. The Bianconeri opened the scoring in the first leg thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo header. Ajax’s David Neres equalised just after halftime as Ajax saw out a 1-1 draw.
The two clubs go into the second leg in very different form. Juventus lost 2-1 at the weekend to SPAL. However, manager Massimiliano Allegri rested many of his key players including Ronaldo.
Juventus will be without injured players Giorgio Chiellini, Martin Caceres, Emre Can, Douglas Costa, and Blaise Matuidi. The injuries are suddenly piling up for Allegri, but the good news is Ronaldo is fully fit.
The Portuguese forward was the difference for the Bianconeri in the first leg. Ronaldo saved Juventus in the prior round thanks to his second leg hat-trick against Atletico. Juventus are riding on Ronaldo’s back much like Real Madrid did for so many years.
Ajax do not have the same injury issues that Juventus do. In fact, manager Erik ten Hag will be able to pick the same starting XI that featured against Juventus last week.
The Dutch club currently lead the Eredivisie and continued their fine form with a 6-2 win over Excelsior at the weekend.
Ajax do not have history on their side. They have not beaten Juventus in their last nine matches. Ajax’s last win against Juventus came all the back in 1973.
But Juventus’ form has dipped at the wrong time. The Bianconeri were not convincing in the first leg as Ajax held their own with the Italian heavyweights.
Ten Hag’s team has shown it can play alongside the best in Europe. Ajax drew twice with Bayern Munich in the group stage before besting Real Madrid over two legs in the last 16. They drew with Juventus in the first leg and will be hungry for more in the second match.
Ajax just need an away goal to shock Juventus, but the problem is the Bianconeri’s No. 7. Ronaldo made the difference for Juventus against Atletico and he will do it again in the quarterfinals against Ajax.
Juventus paid a lot of money for Ronaldo and it is so far paying off. Despite a strong fight from Ajax, Ronaldo’s presence will prove too much as Juventus win with over 2.5 goals scored.