Getafe vs Ajax 21/02/20

21 February 2020

Moving across from the UEFA Champions League, Ajax head to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez to face Getafe in the UEFA Europa League (EL) Round of 32.

The hosts are through to the knockout stages, having finished runners-up in Group C (W4, L2), one point adrift of section-toppers Basel. Far more comfortable at home, the Spanish side boast an intimidating European home record (W9, D1, L3), with two of their wins this season coming on Spanish soil and seeing Getafe shut out their rivals. Relatively inexperienced in UEFA competitions, ‘Azulones’ have faced Dutch opposition only twice in their history, enduring mixed fortunes (W1, L1). Although they go into this encounter on the back of a 2-1 away defeat to Barcelona, José Bordalás’ men had won four consecutive games prior, with each yielding a clean sheet and three producing a multiple-goal margin.

As for the visitors, they are back in Europe’s second-tier competition after failing to live up to expectations in their Champions League section, finishing third in Group H, one point below Valencia and Chelsea. It will be Ajax’s eighth appearance in the EL Round of 32, with the Dutch side failing to battle their way through to the last-16 in four of their previous seven last-32 ties. Regular participants in UEFA competitions, the Lancers are set for their 20th competitive trip to Spain, where their record stands at W7 D2 L10. However, Erik ten Hag’s players have been victorious in their last two trips to the country, beating Real Madrid 4-1 last season and Valencia 2-1 this term. Also, Ajax’s form in 2020 (W5, L1) indicates they will stake a claim on their third consecutive away win over La Liga hosts.