Ajax look to repeat Real Madrid heroics and end Juventus dream

Ajax host Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in the hope they can repeat their heroics in the previous round, knocking out Real Madrid to end their three year reign as European Champions.

Dusan Tadic proved key for the Amsterdam club as they shocked the world, beating Los Blancos 4-1 at the Bernabeu to go through 5-3 on aggregate. The Serbian international has flourished since his move from Premier League side Southampton, the 30-year-old netting 30 goals and providing 17 assists in 45 games this season.

Juventus had a hero of their own in the previous round. Cristiano Ronaldo proved why the Turin based side chose to spend such a huge amount of money on the Portugese forward. Atletico Madrid took a commanding 2-0 lead to the Allianz Arena, but the five time Ballon D’Or winner scored a sensational hat trick to put his side through to the quarter finals.

These sides have identical form coming into the fixture, winning the last three games after suffering a rare defeat in the league. Ajax have got into goal scoring form in recent weeks, scoring three or more goals in each of those wins, with winger David Neres scoring three goals in that time.

Juventus fell 2-0 to Genoa in the league in match-week 28 but have recovered to continue the charge towards another inevitable Scudetto. A battling win over AC Milan at the weekend means the Bianconeri are just two points away from sealing the title, so all their focus can be on the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for that win over Milan, meaning the forward is expected to start the game in Amsterdam, fresh and ready to put Ajax to the sword. But Moise Kean will be eager to get on the pitch after having a sublime impact in recent weeks, scoring in each of the last three games, the winner on two occasions.

Ajax will look to take a respectable score back to Italy, knowing the pressure on Juventus to win this tie could offer counter attacking opportunities for their side to damage Juventus. The belief they can achieve this will surely be there after such a comprehensive win over Real Madrid.