Ajax must beat APOEL Nicosia on Wednesday if they’re to end their Champions League playoff second leg in 90 minutes, having drawn 0-0 in the reverse fixture in Cyprus. The Eredivisie giants are one result away from qualifying for the tournament’s group stage for a second season running, while APOEL seeks a return for the second time in three terms.
Champions League: Ajax vs. APOEL Nicosia
- When: Wednesday, August 28
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- TV: TNT
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag will be without Noussair Mazraoui for the visit of APOEL after he was shown a red card for two cautions in the first leg. Those accounted for two of seven yellow cards shown to Ajax players in Nicosia, a testament to the competitiveness provided by its host.
APOEL also knows victory on Wednesday will be enough to see it top the two-legged tie and send them back to the Champions League group stages. They prevented the Godenzonen from getting a crucial away goal at home but will struggle to repeat the feat at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Manager Thomas Doll took over The Legend in August and will clinch an early piece of APOEL history if he manages to return the team to Europe’s first-tier competition in his first month on the job.
Wednesday’s guests have lost once in their last six games—a 2-1 defeat at home to Qarabag in the previous round of qualifying. However, Ajax is unbeaten in eight (four wins, four draws) and look like the favorites to hold out at home.
Ten Hag’s side hasn’t lost at home in three competitive games, but would be wise not to overlook APOEL, who is in a somewhat unfortunate position not to be taking a slim lead to Amsterdam.
Red Star Belgrade and Dinamo Zagreb topped two-legged fixtures against Young Boys and Rosenborg, respectively, to become the first two playoff teams to advance.
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