14 September 2021, 09:36 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group B fixture, Sporting CP vs. AFC Ajax, kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, September 15 at the Estádio José Alvalade. José María Sánchez (ESP) will be the man in the middle, with Raúl Cabañero (ESP) and Iñigo Prieto (ESP) assisting. Alejandro Hernández (ESP) will be the VAR.
Preview Sporting CP Champions League, Sep 15, 2021
Preview Sporting CP make their entry into the UEFA Champions League following the 1-1 draw against FC Porto in the Portuguese top-flight division. Following Saturday's 1-1 draw, the club sits in 2nd place in the domestic league. This counts as Sporting's ninth UEFA Champions League appearance and their first following their last campaign in the 2017/18 season. They remain unbeaten in five games across all competitions: WWWDD. The Portuguese side were knocked out in the group stage in their last campaign, having finished in third place, behind the Spanish side, Barcelona and Italian Serie A side, Juventus. Sporting share Group B with, Turkish side, Besiktas, Borussia Dortmund and, of course, Wednesday’s opposition, Ajax. Manager Rúben Amorim will aim for at least a point against Ajax ahead of the difficult fixture against Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 2 at Signal Iduna Park. Rúben Amorim could line up with three at the back in an attacking 3—4—3 formation which could see Paulinho playing in the middle of attack. On availability, Pedro Gonçalves remains in doubt for this fixture against Ajax. Having secured the loan transfer from Barcelona, Pablo Sarabia could make his UEFA Champions League debut for the club this Wednesday.
Preview Ajax Champions League, Sep 15, 2021
Preview Ajax returns to the star-studded table of champions following the 2-0 victory against PEC Zwolle in Eredivisie over the weekend. The club currently occupies 2nd place in the Dutch domestic league, having lost only one game in five across all competitions: LWDWW. The Dutch outfit will be making their 17th UEFA Champions League appearance in the group stage, a new record in Dutch football having surpassed PSV Eindhoven with sixteen. This will be the fourth straight appearance in the tournament for Ajax, and coach Erik ten Hag will be in the run for a win to get Ajax started on a flying note. A 4—3—3 formation with Sébastien Haller in the middle of attack is expected while playing alongside Dusan Tadic and Antony. The 27-year-old French forward has four goals in as many appearances for the club in the domestic league. He has also bagged an assist while contributing to 34% of all episodes that have led to a goal for Ajax. Ajax could be without a few players for this trip to the Estádio José Alvalade on Wednesday. Sean Klaiber is ruled out, while goalkeeper Andre Onana is suspended (doping ban) for this UEFA Champions League opener against Sporting CP.