Barcelona will be quite determined to bounce back and avoid a third successive defeat when they travel to Ajax in the group stages of the Champions League on Wednesday. The Spanish giants have lost their last two Primera Liga matches, at Real Madrid and against Celta Vigo at home, and those results dropped them off the top of the league table.
In the Champions League they have recorded two wins and one defeat so far and they are second behind PSG in Group F. They have defeated Ajax 3-1 in the reverse match, so they would qualify for the knockout stages if they get the three points on Wednesday and APOEL fail to defeat PSG in the other match.
Last time Barcelona travelled to Amsterdam they were beaten 2-1, and that wasn't a long time ago, it was last season, also in the group stages. Moreover, Luis Enrique's side have won just two of their last nine European matches away from home, losing five of them. Ajax on the other hand have to avoid defeat to keep their qualification hopes alive after snatching just two points in the first three group matches.
Probable starting line-ups:
Ajax: Cillessen - Van Rhijn, Moisander, Veltman, Viergever - Andersen, Klaassen, Zimling - Schone, Sigthorsson, Milik
Barcelona: Ter Stegen - Alves, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano - Busquets, Rakitic, Xavi - Neymar, Messi, Suarez
My prediction: Barcelona to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Ajax win - 17/2 Draw - 17/4 Barcelona win - 4/11
Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
But,on the other side.Matches in the knockout stage are set to be played in late february.There is very much time untill that.There is one transfer window ahead of Barca and PSG.Barca is still restricted for transfers,but PSG with money they have can make some big transfers in January.Barca even does not need changes,they...
But,on the other side.Matches in the knockout stage are set to be played in late february.There is very much time untill that.There is one transfer window ahead of Barca and PSG.Barca is still restricted for transfers,but PSG with money they have can make some big transfers in January.Barca even does not need changes,they should only start putting pieces on the right place to complete the puzzle.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
You are right,when you look on the other way,Barca and PSG were considered as one of the favourites in the Champions League.They were in the sam group with pretty bad teams ,Ajax and Apoel are among the worst teams in this season Champions Leaugue but Barca and PSG won against them ,but not dominantly,they had to put much...
You are right,when you look on the other way,Barca and PSG were considered as one of the favourites in the Champions League.They were in the sam group with pretty bad teams ,Ajax and Apoel are among the worst teams in this season Champions Leaugue but Barca and PSG won against them ,but not dominantly,they had to put much more effort than anyone expected.
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galata86 9 years ago
in this group is all clear. Barca and PSG are going to the next round but I am not satisfied with their play. I mean PSG beat APOEL twice but only with 1-0, barca also beat APOEL 1-0 and they struggled against ajax. So they are in next round but I think if they want to do something more they must play better
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
After yesterday matchday,situation is clear in this group.Paris Saint Germaine and Barcelona are getting through to the knockout stage,but it will be very interesting to see who will be first in the group.It is important to be first in the group and avoid heavier opponents in next round.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Yeah,I saw that situations.It was not easy for Pedro Proenca to make decision.Situation when Alba stopped the ball with his hand was pretty clear to me.It should have been penalty.But ,referee did not pointed to the spot,so it now even does not matter whether it was or wasn't penalty for Ajax.
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explosio4 9 years ago
Daniel, what are you think about referee last night? Pedro Proenca i think was referee. There were two suspicious situations in Barcelona box. In both situations Alba was actor. He could give penalty kick for Ajax, Alba handed ball, and his hand was far from body. For me, that was clear penalty.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Suarez still has not scored a goal for Barcelona in official match.I was not expecting that.I was not expecting that,he is fantastic player.I think ,Luis Enrique must make some decision about position of the players in the team.He should put Messi on right wing,Neymar on left wing and Suarez in front of goal.In that formation...
Suarez still has not scored a goal for Barcelona in official match.I was not expecting that.I was not expecting that,he is fantastic player.I think ,Luis Enrique must make some decision about position of the players in the team.He should put Messi on right wing,Neymar on left wing and Suarez in front of goal.In that formation Barcelona would become dangerous again,I am sure.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Yes explosio4,first goal was big mistake by defence of Ajax.It is pretty weird to see Messi scoring a header.Cilessen made wrong decision in that situation.That goal was too easy conceded by Ajax.You cant have good result against team of Barcelona's quality if you make stupid mistakes.
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explosio4 9 years ago
Yeah, that was Messi game. He scored twice and he is now one goal ahead Raul and two goals ahead Cristiano. Firs goal was so weird, Cillessen made huge mistake and Messi scored header, I can not remember when he score header last time. Suarez missed great chance, that surprised me. He is not in top form yet.
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mdacic 9 years ago
That wasn't easy win for barca. I was talking about that before match and barca had a lot of luck and score first goal on very lucky way. But I can't say that wasn't deserve. Barca played their style of football, control match and at the end they won. But I think that ajax could do better job special in defense.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Oh,I forgot to mention Lionel Messi.What a player.He managed to break another record.He is man who scored most goals in European Competitions,alongside Raul Messi needed less time than Raul.Who knows how much goals will Messi score in the future.We can be happy to watch such a player ,it is a privilege of our generation.
Oh,I forgot to mention Lionel Messi.What a player.He managed to break another record.He is man who scored most goals in European Competitions,alongside Raul Messi needed less time than Raul.Who knows how much goals will Messi score in the future.We can be happy to watch such a player ,it is a privilege of our generation.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Barcelona won ,but it was not their best match.They had chances but Ajax had also.Especially in the first half,Dutch team was playing pretty good.But,under Luis Enrique Barca's defence is much better than last few years so they managed to keep their net safe.They will have to beat PSG at Camp Nou to secure first place in...
Barcelona won ,but it was not their best match.They had chances but Ajax had also.Especially in the first half,Dutch team was playing pretty good.But,under Luis Enrique Barca's defence is much better than last few years so they managed to keep their net safe.They will have to beat PSG at Camp Nou to secure first place in group.
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John Andrew 9 years ago
That was a Messi's night... He reached a Raul's goals record... And definitely he deserve this. He is in the best footballs years, and I think that he would set a record which nobody can't breaks. Barca plays good tonight, they have to increase form. Spain championship this year is very exciting.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Vlado.mikic.50 I am not sure that Barca will be patient tonight.It simply is not their style of play.Their approach is simple:attack from the first to last minute,no matter what is the result.It would be stupid for them to be patient,that is something they are not used to.They should attack from the start and secure victory...
Vlado.mikic.50 I am not sure that Barca will be patient tonight.It simply is not their style of play.Their approach is simple:attack from the first to last minute,no matter what is the result.It would be stupid for them to be patient,that is something they are not used to.They should attack from the start and secure victory in first half.
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vlado.mikic.50 9 years ago
Barca should be patient in this game.They are big favourites,they are in good position to get through to knockout stage so they dont need to attack all the time.If they score in first half,I think they will surely win,but even the draw is not too bad for them tonight.
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explosio4 9 years ago
John, i forgot that Suarez played in Ajax. Tonight is very special match for him. He must prove how good is he, and i have no doubt in his ability. Maybe is good to play that he will score first goal. And i am sure if he scores that will not celebrate goal. Ajax is club where his rise started, and he will not forget that.
John, i forgot that Suarez played in Ajax. Tonight is very special match for him. He must prove how good is he, and i have no doubt in his ability. Maybe is good to play that he will score first goal. And i am sure if he scores that will not celebrate goal. Ajax is club where his rise started, and he will not forget that.
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mico.femic.1 9 years ago
ajax no chance against Barcelona, ​​Barcelona is a very good team and has a good team . and most importantly has the best player in the world Lionel Messi , it will certainly fill the grid with goals , is to be expected from him . have the most beautiful game and not selfish but the right team . Ajax has nothing to...
ajax no chance against Barcelona, ​​Barcelona is a very good team and has a good team . and most importantly has the best player in the world Lionel Messi , it will certainly fill the grid with goals , is to be expected from him . have the most beautiful game and not selfish but the right team . Ajax has nothing to do against them . Barcelona was always my favorite.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
You can never be sure that favourites are gonna win in Champions League.For me ,it is the toughest competition to make predictions.Those 32 teams are best in Europe,they are capable of winning matches against every opponent.There is so much surprises ,we all have seen what has happened to the Gunners last night...
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John Andrew 9 years ago
And I forget to mention a good olympiacos tradition about Spanish coaches. Before Michel, who do a great job with them, was Ernesto Valverde, who won double titles in one season in Greece, and they played great football then. Michel is a great coach definitely, when he leaded the Getafe, they were in top 6 clubs in Spain....
And I forget to mention a good olympiacos tradition about Spanish coaches. Before Michel, who do a great job with them, was Ernesto Valverde, who won double titles in one season in Greece, and they played great football then. Michel is a great coach definitely, when he leaded the Getafe, they were in top 6 clubs in Spain.
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John Andrew 9 years ago
Yes, I read some interviews today about his back to Amsterdam. i definitely think that he will be inspired tonight. About the match, I agree with Daniel that Barca can hammer Ajax tonight. I bet that Barca score more than two goals, but odds is not great, however I am sure for this.
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