Champions League: Ronaldo Uncertainty Surrounds Ajax Clash

Ajax vs Juventus

For the first time in 15 years, two of the biggest names in European football collide as Ajax host Juventus for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

The Italian champions have had the upper hand in their most recent meetings and are installed as the favourites to go through to the semi-finals, according to Champions League 2019 betting odds.

But the Dutch giants are fresh off an impressive demolition of reigning champions Real Madrid in the round of 16 and will not be fearful of their more experienced opponents.

There’s also the uncertainty regarding the fitness of Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo, who has missed the past few weeks due to injury.

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Talking Points

Young Ajax brimming with confidence

Ajax couldn’t have asked for a much better build-up to their quarter-final first leg against Juventus. They’re once again back atop the Eredivisie after three successive league wins. They beat Willem II 4-1 over the weekend, while their main title rivals PSV could only manage a draw.

Ajax began that winning streak with a 3-1 victory against PSV despite going down to 10 men before the hour mark. It was a testament to Ajax’s mental strength that they were able to recover from that setback to claim the massive win.

Despite their relative youth, Ajax have displayed the confidence and maturity of a much older side several times this season, particularly in the Champions League.

They went toe-to-toe in both matches against Bayern Munich during the group stages. And in the round of 16, it was remarkable how they fearlessly fought back from a first-leg deficit to beat Real 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Dusan Tadic, who was instrumental in their famous victory over Real, has continued his fine form. The Serbian striker has scored four goals and grabbed three assists in his last six games for Ajax.

Manager Erik ten Hag is unlikely to stray from the strategy which has gotten them this far in the competition. Ajax should continue to be aggressive in attack at home against Juventus.

Although, it remains to be seen if they can consistently break down the Italians, who possess one of the best defences in all of Europe.

Ajax are in fine form in the league and are looking to upset Juventus in the Champions League — Ajax’s Dusan Tadic celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against Bayern Munich

Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness

One of Juventus’ primary motivations for signing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer was their desire to win the Champions League.

That investment paid major dividends in the round-of-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid as Ronaldo scored an incredible hat-trick to help Juve overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit.

However, Ronaldo’s fitness for the quarter-final first leg against Ajax is a bit of a question mark. The Portuguese superstar has missed Juventus’ last three Serie A matches after suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty.

In the latest Champions League 2019 news about Ronaldo, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said he is “confident” the star striker will be fit to play against Ajax. But even if he does play, it remains to be seen how sharp he will be after a lengthy layoff.

Despite Ronaldo’s recent absence, Juve have not missed a beat due to the emergence of Moise Kean. The Italian teenager has scored in all three games Ronaldo’s missed, which includes the 84th-minute winner in Juve’s 2-1 victory against AC Milan over the weekend.

Juventus tend to be a bit cautious at times, particularly away from home. And with Ajax’s attacking quality, they might be tempted to keep it tight in Amsterdam. But Ajax’s defence has been far from airtight and can be got at if Juve decide to take the game to the Dutch side.

History

Ajax and Juventus have met a total of 12 times in Europe over the years. Juventus have the edge with six wins, while Ajax have come out on top just twice. Juve are undefeated in their last nine meetings against Ajax, winning five of the last six.

Their most recent meeting was all the way back in 2010 in the Europa League knockout stage. Juventus won 2-1 at Amsterdam and moved on to the next round.

Their last meeting in the Champions League was in the group stage in 2004; Juve won both matches, 1-0. Their last knockout stage meeting was in the semi-finals in 1997, with Juve going through 6-2 on aggregate. Juventus also won the 1996 Champions League final over Ajax on penalties.

Betting Tip

	Ajax vs Juventus	Draw @ 3.25
	April 11, 03:00(GMT+8)

Ajax have shown in their matches against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid that they can hang with Europe’s big boys. Although, it should be noted that both Bayern and Real have been far from their best this season. Meanwhile, Juventus remain pretty dominant despite their first-leg stumble against Atletico.

But with Ajax’s dangerous attack and Ronaldo’s questionable fitness, it’s unlikely that the Italians will overexert themselves in Amsterdam.

Instead, they will probably be fairly cautious and keep things tight at the back. It’s a tactic which they are more than capable of executing, and one that could give the young Ajax side some headaches.

SBOBET odds have the draw priced at 3.25, a result which should suit Juve just fine ahead of the second leg in Turin.