Ajax vs Napoli

Ajax and Napoli are set to square off in a handsomely-looking Champions League showdown at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam.

Since a 5-3 Dutch Super Cup defeat to PSV Eindhoven on his touchline debut, new Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder navigated his side to seven consecutive wins in all competitions. Everything was going Ajax’s way, including a 4-0 thumping of Rangers in their Champions League curtain-raiser, before a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool last time out threw them into disarray. The reigning Eredivisie champions have since gone winless in back-to-back league outings (D1, L1), including an underwhelming 1-1 home draw with G.A Eagles at the weekend. Keen to return to winning ways, the ‘Lancers’ will be out to defy their poor 27% win rate against Italian opponents in major European competitions (W13, D18, L18). But to do that, Ajax would have to post their first European home win over Serie A visitors since 2002 (D6, L5 since).

On the other hand, high-flying Napoli thumped fellow Serie A rivals Torino 3-1 at home over the weekend to maintain their 100% unbeaten start to the new domestic season (W6, D2). Luciano Spalletti’s men have been equally impressive in Europe this term, as they come into proceedings as the most prolific Champions League side with seven goals. Indeed, following a 4-1 demolition of Liverpool in their Group A curtain-raiser, ‘I Partenopei’ picked Rangers apart 3-0 in Glasgow last time out and could win their opening three group-stage matches for the first time in the club’s history. However, there are reasons for Napoli’s nerves to be jangling as they’ve never won a European fixture on Dutch soil at any of their five previous attempts (D2, L3).