Ajax vs Borussia Dortmund Champions League Preview

PREVIEW

Frank de Boer's side have never lost to a German opponent at home in the Champions League, but face stiff competition from one of the only teams unbeaten so far in the group stage

PROBABLE LINEUPS 

AJAX 

Vermeer 

Van Rhijn, Alderweireld, Moisander, Blind 

Poulsen, Eriksen 

Sana, Schone, Boerrigter 

De Jong 

DORTMUND 

Weidenfeller 

Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer 

Gundogan, Kehl 

Reus, Gotze, Grosskreutz 

Lewandowski 

TEAM NEWS

Something will have to give when Ajax welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday evening. 

The Eredivisie champions hold a proud unbeaten record against German sides at home and will need to be at their best to continue that record against Jurgen Klopp’s men, who are undefeated in the group and will qualify with a win or a draw. 

The hosts are sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer. He missed Saturday’s win over VVV-Venlo due to illness but returned to training on Sunday and could make the starting XI. 

A certain omission from the squad will be forward Ryan Babel, who has been ruled out for several weeks after dislocating his right shoulder. Thulani Serero and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson are long-term absentees and are likely to miss the entire group stage. 

Dortmund coach, Klopp, has the luxury of having the vast majority of his squad available for the trip to the Netherlands, and it is unlikely he will deviate from the starting XI that was so impressive against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Die Borussen were given a lift last week when Jakub Błaszczykowski made his return from an ankle injury for Poland against Uruguay. However, he may not oust Keven Grosskreutz from the starting line-up for the European tie.

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Source: Goal