18 October 2021, 16:39 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group C fixture, AFC Ajax vs. Borussia Dortmund, kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Matchday 3, Tuesday, October 19 at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Preview Ajax Champions League, Oct 19, 2021
Preview Ajax defeated SC Heerenveen 2-0 over the weekend in the Dutch domestic league, where the club enjoys domestic dominance, sitting atop the league table in first place. On UCL Matchday 2, the club put Beşiktaş aside in another 2-0 win on home soil. Steven Berghuis (17’) put Ajax in front minutes into the first half before UCL Matchday 1 hero, Sébastien Haller (43’), struck with an improvised finish. Following the single strike, Haller became the first player in the history of the competition to score five times in his first two UCL appearances. The impressive Matchday 2 win leaves the Dutch outfit at the top of Group C with equal points as Dortmund, 6, after 2W, 0D & 0L, while having a G.D. of +6. Erik ten Hag's side has 14 home victories in 17 against German opposition and will look to extend that record when Borussia Dortmund visits Amsterdam on Tuesday. The club aims to come out on top in what would be a contest for the top spot in Group C. The trio consisting of Tadic, Steven Berghuis and Antony, could return in attack right behind Haller in a probable 4—2—3—1 formation against Dortmund. Sean Klaiber and Maarten Stekelenburg remain doubtful for this fixture. Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana, who remains at odds with the club, is expected to return to action in November after having his doping ban shortened from a year to nine months.
Preview Borussia Dortmund Champions League, Oct 19, 2021
Preview Borussia Dortmund also have two victories after two UEFA Champions League appearances, 2W, 0D, & 0L, following the 1-0 win over Sporting CP on UCL Matchday 2. A single strike from Donyell Malen (37’) separated both sides at full-time. It was the first goal for the €30M-rated 22-year-old in the yellow colors of Dortmund after his recent acquisition from PSV in the summer. Marco Rose would like to follow up with another victory in a bid to replace Ajax at the top of the group standings. A 4—3—3 formation with Haaland serving as the cutting knife in attack on Tuesday is anticipated. The 21-year-old bagged a brace at the weekend in Dortmund's 3-1 win over FSV Mainz 05 to signal his return to action following an injury lay-off. Haaland now has 51 goals in 50 league appearances for Dortmund, and 72 in 69 games for the club. The prolific forward remains on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or (2021). Riddled with injuries, Dortmund could be without Manuel Akanji and Raphaël Guerreiro. Moukoko may also be unavailable alongside Mahmoud Dahoud. Meanwhile, Giovanni Reyna remains sidelined following a thigh injury.