UEFA Champions League Tuesday: Real Madrid Tries To Focus On Ajax, Not Barcelona

Don’t expect Real Madrid to make many changes for today’s match in Amsterdam, though three will be forced. Gonzalo Higuain’s back will keep the striker out of the lineup. Karim Benzema will step in, and with the Frenchman’s building confidence, there shouldn’t be much of a drop-off. Sami Khedira will be a bigger miss, out with a hamstring problem, but Lassana Diarra is Khedira’s equal on the right day. Ricardo Carvalho’s bruised thigh will keep him out at the back, but Spanish international Raul Albiol provides enviable cover. All three starters rest today with the hope they’ll be ready for Barcelona on Monday.

Beyond those changes, José Mourinho is likely to stick with his first choice players. While emphasizing the importance of finishing-off Group G, the Real Madrid coach has said his team is still in the building process (a scary thought when considering what they might be building to). To embolden that process, he wants stability. As such, we are likely to see most of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ángel Di Maria, Mesut Özil, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos. With five days’ rest between Ajax and Barcelona, fatigue shouldn’t be a problem.

That’s all bad news for Martin Jol and his struggling team. Ajax has won only one in five, a cup match against second division Veendam, causing them to drop to an uncharacteristic fourth in the Eredivisie. As concerning for a team that plays such an open style: Ajax hasn’t scored in their last three league matches. Against a Real Madrid team that’s allowed two goals in four Champions League matches and only six in 12 Spanish Primera Division contests, don’t expect a typical Ajax explosion. One goal would be progress.

But without a true explosion, it’s difficult to see Ajax winning. Where Real Madrid was able to score twice at Milan, you would think Ajax needs two goals and a bad day from Los Blancos to pull the upset. Under Mourinho, Real Madrid’s bad days have still left to draws.

If the Merengues get a draw today, they clinch first place in Group G.