APOEL and Ajax were unfortunate to have been drawn alongside two giants of European football in the Champions League’s Group F, with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain the strong favourites to progress into the knockout stages. However, while APOEL succumbed to a predictable defeat to Barça in their opening group stage game, Ajax managed to hold the French champions to a draw in Amsterdam.
APOEL vs. Ajax, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
APOEL and Ajax head into this fixture looking for their first wins of the group stages.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos
But, if Frank de Boer’s side want to genuinely challenge Laurent Blanc’s side for a spot in the next round, they need to take all six points from their two fixtures against the Cypriot minnows. That means picking up a win away at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Tuesday.
Key player - Lasse Schöne (Ajax)
Lasse Schöne has flitted in and out of Ajax’s starting lineup so far this season, but it’s likely that the man named the club’s 2014 player of the year will start away at APOEL. The Danish international is usually deployed out on the left flank, but his tendency to drift infield and get into goalscoring positions has seen him score four goals in six starts in all competitions this season. His penetration and directness will be vital against a team likely to sit back and soak up as much pressure as possible.
Key matchup - Urko Pardo vs. a barrage of Ajax shots
Despite being the away team, expect Ajax to be forced into playing like the hosts of this match. APOEL won’t be stupid, and try to beat the Dutch side for possession -- they know their best chance of winning the game is defending at all costs and trying to score on the counter-attack. However, their goalkeeper Urko Pardo can expect to face a barrage of shots from all distances and angles, and APOEL will need him to be on form for them to stand a chance.
APOEL injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Rafik Djebbour, Anastasios Papazoglou (unspecified)
Ajax injuries and suspensions
Out: Viktor Fischer (hamstring). In doubt: None.
APOEL will likely be without former Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest striker Rafik Djebbour, while centre-back Anastasios Papazoglou also faces a late fitness test. Ajax’s only certain absentee is young winger Viktor Fischer, who has been out since February with a hamstring injury.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 9:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus
TV: Fox Soccer Plus, Directv (U.S.), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.), Cytavision Sports 1, Cytavision Sports HD (Cyprus), Nederland 3 (Netherlands)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go, ESPN3 Online-App (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.), Cytavision Live (Cyprus)
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