vieri_snowman
Dec 7 2004, 02:25 AM
Two of Europe’s biggest club sides meet at the Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday night, but with Munich already safely in the knock out phase the pressure is on Ajax to produce the win that will secure a Uefa Cup spot.
BACKGROUND
Both of these teams have great European tradition - Ajax and Bayern Munich won the European Cup in six consecutive seasons between them from 1970 to 1976 and have each won the Champions League once since it’s revamp in the early nineties – but recent performances have fallen some way short of their glorious pasts and Ajax in particular are now only left with a place in the Uefa Cup to play for.
Roy Makaay inspired the Germans to a 4-0 victory when the two sides met in the second round of fixtures earlier in the season, and that win coupled with a ‘double’ over Maccabi Tel-Aviv have secured Bayern with a second round spot as Juventus have won each of their five matches. The Dutch slipped to a 2-1 defeat in Tel Aviv and it was that game which effectively ended Ajax’s Champions League aspirations for another season.
Champions League form for both teams has been reflected in league form - Munich are currently joint top of the Bundesliga with Schalke 04, while Ajax are in third place in the Eredivisie, ten points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.
FORM GUIDE
Ajax (all competitions - oldest result first) WDWLWW
Ajax’s Champions League form has been poor this season, but recent league form has been far from it. Last months results have included a 5-0 win at De Graafschap and a 4-1 victory at home to RBC Roosendaal.
Bayern Munich (all competitions - oldest result first) WWWWWD
Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nurenberg ended a run of five straight wins for the Germans, but was not enough to shift then from the top of the Bundesliga. Last time out in the Champions League Bayern swept Maccabi Tel Aviv aside 5-1, meaning Munich have scored a massive twenty goals in their last five games.
TEAM NEWS
Ajax
Anastasiou made an early departure in Friday’s win over RKC, but should be fit to start against Munich. Ronald Koeman has no fresh injury doubts, so is likely to stick with Friday’s winning side.
Bayern Munich
Hasan Salihamidzic was sent off on Saturday, but the midfielder should retain his spot for the trip to the Dutch capital. With qualification already assured coach Magath Felix may take the opportunity to rest some of his squad.
BACKGROUND
Both of these teams have great European tradition - Ajax and Bayern Munich won the European Cup in six consecutive seasons between them from 1970 to 1976 and have each won the Champions League once since it’s revamp in the early nineties – but recent performances have fallen some way short of their glorious pasts and Ajax in particular are now only left with a place in the Uefa Cup to play for.
Roy Makaay inspired the Germans to a 4-0 victory when the two sides met in the second round of fixtures earlier in the season, and that win coupled with a ‘double’ over Maccabi Tel-Aviv have secured Bayern with a second round spot as Juventus have won each of their five matches. The Dutch slipped to a 2-1 defeat in Tel Aviv and it was that game which effectively ended Ajax’s Champions League aspirations for another season.
Champions League form for both teams has been reflected in league form - Munich are currently joint top of the Bundesliga with Schalke 04, while Ajax are in third place in the Eredivisie, ten points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.
FORM GUIDE
Ajax (all competitions - oldest result first) WDWLWW
Ajax’s Champions League form has been poor this season, but recent league form has been far from it. Last months results have included a 5-0 win at De Graafschap and a 4-1 victory at home to RBC Roosendaal.
Bayern Munich (all competitions - oldest result first) WWWWWD
Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nurenberg ended a run of five straight wins for the Germans, but was not enough to shift then from the top of the Bundesliga. Last time out in the Champions League Bayern swept Maccabi Tel Aviv aside 5-1, meaning Munich have scored a massive twenty goals in their last five games.
TEAM NEWS
Ajax
Anastasiou made an early departure in Friday’s win over RKC, but should be fit to start against Munich. Ronald Koeman has no fresh injury doubts, so is likely to stick with Friday’s winning side.
Bayern Munich
Hasan Salihamidzic was sent off on Saturday, but the midfielder should retain his spot for the trip to the Dutch capital. With qualification already assured coach Magath Felix may take the opportunity to rest some of his squad.