Ajax face LOSC Lille in first game of the Champions League at home

Last year’s semi-finalists, Ajax will be looking to replicate their amazing run from last year as they face Lille at home in their first game of the Champions League.

Ajax are unbeaten in all competitions currently and are on a great run of form which may be the killer blow for Lille due to the experience of the Ajax team in this competition.

Where as for Lille, they currently sit fifth in Ligue 1 winning three and losing two games. After losing main-man Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal the French side have not been the same, but after winning their last game they may carry that winning mentality and throw a spanner in the works for Ajax.

Team news

Ajax are likely to be without Donny van de Beek having not featured since Ajax secured their place in the group stages against APOEL. Noussair Mazraoui picked up a knee injury on international duty which will rule him out of this match, but Ten Hag is expected to welcome back David Neres after resting him at the weekend.

Lille, meanwhile, are without new signing Timothy Weah due to injury, while Xeka also remains sidelined.

Ajax manager Ten Hag discussed the strength of the group and scaled Lille.

“We are happy that we are in the group phase,” he emphasized. “It is a great achievement if you end up in the Champions League through the preliminary rounds. We are in a challenging group. It is fairly similar. Chelsea may stand out a bit. But if you have a home game, you have to get results. Tomorrow we will have to reach a high level to achieve a result. We will go full for the profit. But if that is not possible, you must also be clever.”

LOSC Lille manager Christophe Galtier spoke about the team more determined rather than stressed ahead of their game against Ajax

“There are no big differences between the Champions League seven years ago and today’s. My players and I will surely discover the most beautiful competitions. But this remains a football match. True, we are far from favourites in this pool, our UEFA index is low. But when there is a match, there is hope and a chance. It may be better for us, given our lack of experience, to start outside; we will be more experienced at our first reception! “

“All teams participating in this competition are forced to suffer and run to win. We are just more used to doing it, since in recent months we have suffered to obtain this qualification.

“Ajax have played more games than us in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League. Is this a disadvantage or a benefit? What is certain is that it is a well-honed team. There is no reason to be stressed, just to be focused. I found my players available this morning during the training session, with lots of exchanges. We are especially happy to start this competition. There is a great desire, a great determination.

“At no time did I try to fight my craze.”

Head-to-head

This will be the first time these teams meet each other and it certainly will be an exciting encounter.

Expected line-ups

Ajax XI – Onana; Veltman, Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico; Alvarez, Promes, Martinez; Ziyech, Tadic, Neres

LOSC Lille XI – Maignan; Pied, Fonte, Djalo, Bradaric; Andre, Soumare; Ikone, Yazici, Bamba; Osimhen