Ajax, favorite today against a Benfica in low hours

Benfica, European champion in 1961 and 1962, and Ajax, which was in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1995, open today in Da Luz this tie between two historic clubs. The Dutch, leaders of the Eredivisie, dream of repeating their sensational campaign in the 2018-19 Champions League, when they reached the semi-finals after eliminating Real Madrid and Juventus, and start as favourites.

The Lisbon squad was Barça’s executioner in the group stage but is in a critical situation in the Primeira Liga as it is third, 12 points behind leader Porto. Not in vain Jorge Jesus was relieved on December 28 by the interim Nelson Verissimo, who directed Benfica B.

Erik ten Hag’s Ajax won all six of their group games after beating Borussia Dortmund twice (4-0 and 1-3) and has only suffered two defeats in the Eredivisie. He has 10 wins in a row, including 3 in the Cup.

Darwin Núñez v. Haller

Benfica will put its offensive power to the test, which has its greatest exponents in Ivorian Sébastien Haller, top scorer in the league (16) and in the Champions League (10), captain Dusan Tadic (18 assists this season) and the magic of Brazilian Antony.

Benfica, without Haris Seferovic, also has its striker, the Uruguayan Darwin Núñez, Pichichi in Portugal with 18 goals, although ‘only’ 3 in the Champions League, and in defense the central defender Jan Vertonghen, formerly of Ajax, will try at 34 to stop to Haller.

“We are facing one of the best teams in Europe, but it has some weak points to exploit,” warned Verissimo before his Champions League debut.

Likely lineups

Stadium: Da Luz

Benfica: Vlachodimos; Lazaro, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Weigl, Joao Mario, Taarabt, Paulo Bernardo; Rafa Silva and Darwin Nunez

Trainer: Nelson Verissimo

Ajax: Pasveer; Mazraoui, Timber, Lisandro Martinez, Blind; Klaassen, Edson Álvarez, Berghuis; Antony, Haller y Tadic

Coach: Erik ten Hag

Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia) / VAR: Marco Fritz (Germany)