Wednesday, 19:45, Amsterdam, Arena, referee - Gianluca Rocchi (Italy). Live broadcast on the channel Football 1.
Perhaps, in this semifinal pair of the League of Europe, the lot was drawn by two teams that demonstrate the most attractive football (at least from the four that still struggle for the trophy of the League of Europe). And Ajax, and Lyon love and, most importantly, know how to attack. It's hard to imagine that in the semifinal matches they suddenly decide to step on their throat for their own song and play cautiously, which means that we will have a bright spectacle.
It's just not known if Amsterdam will play the main goalscorer Lyon Lyakazett. Without it, naturally, the attack of the Lions will be weakened, but insignificantly, as Fekir, although inferior in skill to his colleague, who almost all European grandees want to see in his composition, however compensates for this with persistence.
Interesting facts - Ajax has never lost to Lyon - 2 wins and 2 draws.
- Ajax is unbeatable in 12 European home games - 7 wins and 5 draws (in the last 6 - only wins).
- Lyon scored in 5 out of 6 European away matches.
- Ajax is the only one of the current semi-finalists who won the UEFA Cup / Europa League trophy.
Approximate compositions of Ajax: Onana - Tete, Sanchez, Ligt, Sinchgrewven - Klaassen, Schone, Zijec - Traore, Dolberg, Younes.
Lyon: Lopez-Zhaye, Mamman, Diahabi, Morel-Gonalon, Tusar-Gezal, Tolisso, Valbuena-Fequir.
Will not play: Virgever, Veltman (Ajax).
In doubt: Lacazette (Lyon).
Words by Peter Bos, Ajax's coach:.
"Lyon is a great team, and we learned it well.". It seems to me that when the French broke up AZ in the early stages, they looked more powerful than now.. They say that we are lucky that Lacazette can not play. Well, we will not play Veltman and Virgever. We are in the semi-finals, and Ajax, and Lyon are well staffed, so losing one or two players will not play a special role.
Ajax still did not lose to Lyon, but the past does not matter. Modern history is written here and now ".
Bruno Genezio, Lyon's mentor:.
"There will be a very difficult match, and that's why I would not want to use Lakazetta. He is already completely healthy, but I would like to give him a little more time for the final restoration. I do not think that everything will be decided in Amsterdam. And in Lyon he will certainly be in the first team ".
Forecast 2: 1.