Champions League 2003/2004


Champions League News Ajax
 

Aftermath Club Brugge - Ajax

11 Dec 2003
Ajax trainer Ronald Koeman has stated that Ajax will now have to focus on the Dutch League after being kicked out of Champions League and the UEFA Cup following their 2-1 midweek defeat at the hands of struggling Club Brugge.
With Celta Vigo's 2-1 win against AC Milan's reserves, Ajax were left bottom of their group so that even a UEFA Cup place alluded the Amsterdamemrs. Koeman:"It's hard to accept, but that's the way it is. It was a worthless evening. And I know of only one remedy: we must become champions of Holland." Looking at the second half, the defeat was undeserved. The first half was different - we were very restless and could not get away from the pressure that they put upon us. Against this kind of team you must be playing good football and that was a thing we did not do. We made no use of the space we got. A few of my players lost the ball way too often."
Koeman also went on to say that Ajax are as strong as they were last season. "Also at the first goal, he did not look good. We are not as strong as last season. The biggest difference is that we did our duties at home, but that we did very little in the away games." Defender Johnny Heitinga, who has just returned to Ajax's first team squad after a year's absence through injury believes that the pitch was also not in the Amsterdammers favour saying: "You have to win here. We should have finished them here, but we failed. Also, because of the pitch we could not get a good build up of our play. And than you get 1-0 behind in such a clumsy way. The second half was better but again we got a clumsy goal against. And up front nothing succeeded."
Ajax kicked out of Europe by Brugge

10 Dec 2003
A disappointed Ajax coach Ronald Koeman said it was a massive blow for the Amsterdammers to be knocked out of the Champions League by  Belgian outfit Club Brugge and partly blamed Rumanian international goalkeepers, whose first half blunder allowed the Belgians to take an easy 1-0 lead.
The 2-1 defeat, sees Ajax finish bottom of their group and Brugge land third position to give them a place in the Uefa Cup next year. Koeman: "This is an enormous disappointment because now we are out of Europe. But we should blame ourselves because we forgot to search for the football solution and used the long ball every time. Brugge started strongly but we gave away the first goal. Lobont should have stayed in his goal. In the second half Brugge did not create any chances, while Ibrahimovic missed an enormous chance for us. A Lobont in form would have dealt with the goal that decided the match. I don't blame him for this defeat but he didn't react like he is supposed to in those situations.
Preview Club Brugge - Ajax

09 Dec 2003
Despite Club Brugge's lack of form in recent weeks, Ajax striker Wesley Sonck has warned his team-mates not to be too complacent when they confront the Belgium Champions for their crucial last match which is likely to decide which of the two clubs will progress to the next round.
Brugge are fifth placed in the Belgium competiton and lagging 14 points behind leaders Anderlect making their chances of retaining their domestic title this year remote. However, according to Sonck who knows Club Brugge well from his days at former club Genk, this will not deter Brugge from putting on a dazzling performance tonight. Sonck: "It will be a spicy match. I know the guys, I know the stadium and I know the atmosphere."
Ajax coach Ronald Koeman was present last weekend to see Brugge defeated 3-1 by Standard Liege and after the match the Ajax trainer stated that it was probably a waste of his time viviting the game as he had not seen the Brugge that Ajax will see tonight. Koeman: "I saw a weak Brugge against Standard. But the results of Brugge in the Champions League are better than those in their league.  It would be stupid to qualify them as a bad team," Regarding tonight's match Koeman said: "We both have to win, so I expect a tougher game then back in Amsterdam But we are not going to attack in Brugge like a bunch of crazy players. We have to control the game and score from there. Financially it is very important we make it to the next round, but we don't have to push up the pressure that high."
Koeman also added that he was not angry with AC Milan who have stated that they will be fielding a reserve team in their last match against Celta Vigo
Koeman also stated that he was not angry with AC Milan trainer Carlo Ancelotto who has stated that Ajax will have to win their last away match against Club Brugge if they intend reaching the second stage of the Champions League.
Ancelotti: "We have qualified for the next round of the Champions League and that now gives us the chance to concentrate on the Seria A competition. The last match against Celta de Vigo is not important and I will certainly use that match to rest a number of players. I realise that my colleague Ronald Koeman is hoping that we will beat Celta. But Ajax will have to care for themselves and beat Brugge."
Koeman: "I quite understand Ancelotti motives. I would have done the same thing if Ajax had already qualified for the next stages of the competition."
The Amsterdammers have a number of injury worries with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic the biggest doubt.
The Swede still has some problems with his toe, which he injured in the defeat against AC Milan two weeks ago and will need an injection against the pain if he is to play. Koeman :"Zlatan is doing better then last week. But I do not know if I'll use him from the start. That depends on some factors."
Good news for the Amsterdammers is that midfielder Tomas Galasek has been passed fit for tonight's game. The Czech star had been troubled by a leg injury and was taken to hospital where extensive examinations revealed that there is no major damage, making it possible for the 30-year-old to travel with the rest of the Ajax squad to Belgium.
Ajax can guarantee their qualification for the next round of Europe's premier club competition with a win against Brugge, but a draw will leave them sweating on the result of the Milan versus Celta Vigo tie.
Ajax lose 0-1 at home to AC Milan

27 Nov 2003
Ajax trainer Ronald Koeman was forced by injuries to pick the second youngest side that has ever been fielded in the Champions League's history and although the up-and-coming starlets fought bravely they were defeated 0-1 when Ukrainian striker Andrei Shevchenko scored the one and only goal of the game with a well-worked counter-attack goal six minutes into the second act. Ajax continued to battle for what they were worth but were unable to find the equaliser. With striker Wesley Sonck sidelined, the Amsterdammers hope of a better end were further dented when their Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic limped off before half-time- Ibrahimovic's replacement Jari Litmanen was unable to make an impact.
 After the match , Milan trainer Carlo Ancelotti said that he was surprised that how Ajax buckeld down  saying "We dominated tonight and I must say I was surprised at how Ajax buckled under our pressure, though they were missing important players."
Although the Amsterdammers chances of reaching the second round have somewhat diminished with the home defeat, an away win over Club Brugge in their last match will be enough to for them to suffice.
Koeman confident Ajax can reach next round

06 Nov 2003
Despite Ajax's 3-2 midweek loss in the Champions League at the hands of Celta Vigo coach Ronald Koeman is still confident that the Amsterdammers will be able to qualify for the next stage of the competition. After Tuesday's defeat Ajax drop to second place in group H . The Amsterdammers are just one point behind Milan while Celta Vigo are a further point behind on five and even Brugge are well in the picture on four points.
Koeman: "The four teams are all pretty evenly placed now. We all have chances. In theory, Milan are the strongest side in the group but we'll be playing them in Amsterdam next up. I still believe that with nine points we'll be going through."
Celta Vigo beat Ajax 3-2

05 Nov 2003
Ajax began well in their match against Spanish outfit Celta Vigo last night and came close toing the scoring after just two minutes, when a mistake by Luccin let in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However the Swedish international striker took too long to control the ball and his shot was subsequently blocked. Shortly afterwards Ibrahimovic put in Wesley Sonck in scoring position with a snazzy backheel pass but the Belgian striker somehow only managed to stand on the ball.
In the 25th minute of the game Celta Vigo striker Milosevic was rewarded for a theatrical dive when the referee gave away a free penalty which Luccin just managed to net pass Lobont.
Ajax captain Rafael van der Vaart's appeal against the referee's incredible decision saw him booked meaning he will miss the next game against AC Milan.
Trailing 1-0, Ajax were forced to abandon their tactics and venture on an all or nothing offensive leaving their defensive lines weakened. In the 38th minute, Celta were able to double their lead when Savo Milosevic rose to head in the second for the 2-0 half-time scoreline.
Two minutes after the break, Celta were unlucky not have increased their lead to three goals when Juanfran's close-range header hit the post. Ajax was not alarmed and continued to push forward and in the 53rd minute they were finally rewarded for their good play when Belgian striker Wesley Sonck rounded off a Maxwell cross with a powerful header and two minutes later they almost drew level when Yakubu's header was tipped on to the woodwork by Jose Manuel Pinto..
Despite the two goal disadvantage, Ajax continued to push forward and with just eight minutes remaining on the clock Rafael van der Vaart rounded Sergio Fernandez before curling his shot around Pinto and into the net. With just one minute of play remaining Ajax defender Grygera picked up his second yellow card after a challenge on Juanfran and was sent for an early shower.
Preview Celta Vigo - Ajax

04 Nov 2003
Ajax face Celta Vigo tonight in the Champions League knowing that a win will put them in a very strong position. Celta, who lost to Ajax two weeks ago, thanks to a brilliant goal from Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, sit bottom of the group with just two points and one goal - and failing to win this evening will surely mean their elimination.  The Dutch league leaders displayed this weekend their resilience after coming from behind to beat third-placed AZ Alkmaar at the weekend sending them two points clear of PSV at the top of the Eridivisie. Celta's preparations to this evening's confrontation were less impressive after the 1-0 home defeat to Racing Santander on Saturday.  Celta are also confronted with a number of key players injured and will really miss Brazilian ace Edu who has been out for the last few weeks.  Whatever the result may be, this will be a tense encounter. The Spaniards must win to keep their Champion League hopes alive and Ajax have proven that they are capable of scoring a goal away in Europe.  However if the goal is enough or if Celta manage a narrow home win remains to be seen.
Ajax beat Celta de Vigo 1-0

23 Oct 2003
Ajax won their second Champion League beating Spanish outfit Celta Vigo 1-0 and with Clubbe Brugge upsetting the bookmakers with their shock defeat of AC Milan on the Italian's own turf, sees Ajax take over the lead on Group H with six points from theirng three games, Club Brugge and Milan are now joint second with four points while Celta de Vigo are rock bottom of the group with just two points. Although Ajax were able to contain the Spaniards in the first act, the Amsterdammers were unable to poise a threat to Celta's defence.  Six minutes before the break Ajax skipper Rafael van der Vaart was forced to leave the pitch through an injury and is now doubtful for AJax's important league match against PSV this weekend.
In the second act Ajax came out of the starting blocks with more attacking side and were soon rewarded for their efforts when Swedish international striker Ibrahimovic, who was surrounded by three defenders, simply rounded the defenders before slotting the ball past Pinto with the one and only goal of the evening to give the host three valuable points.
Preview Ajax - Celta de Vigo

22 Oct 2003
Ajax coach Ronald Koeman has warned his side ahead of tonight's Champions League match against Spanish outfit  Celta Vigo that they must not underestimate the Spaniards and to remain focused on disclipline. Koeman: "Celta have some good, experience players, like Alexander Mostovoi. We will have to be at our best to defeat them but we managed to defeat Brugge so I know we can win against Celta. It is important that our players look forward to these kind of games. They must want to play in the Champions League, whoever the opponent is. They are not afraid to play."
Although Ajax have been boosted by the return of captain Jari Litmannen, they will have to miss French defender Julien Escude who is sidelined with a back injury who will be replaced by the less experienced Belgium youngster Jelle van Damme who will now have to play as centre-back. Koeman: "He is a very strong defender. He always seems to get his big toe to the ball and I prefer to play with one left footed and one right footed defender in the centre of defence."
Celta coach Miguel Angel Lotina will be without key players Gustavo Lopez and Vagner Rogerio but is nonetheless confident ahead of tonight's clash. Lotina: "We are still alive in the Champions League and we need a good result so that we don't complicate things. We are going to go for a win, but a draw wouldn't be a bad result away from home and it could be just what we need to lift our heads up in the Primera Liga."
Celta's attacking midfielder Jesuli sounded even more confident than his trainer: "The League and the Champions League are two different competitions. We will try to win because this is a vital game for us if we want to qualify. And, if we do win, it would mean a huge morale boost for our following game in the league."
Ajax beat Brugge 2-0 in Champions League

02 Oct 2003
Ajax, who were extremely unlucky to lose 1-0 to Champions League holders AC Milan in their first Champions League match this season, saw summer signing Wesley Sonck bag a brace against Belgium outfit Club Brugge, as the Amsterdammers cruised to a 2-0 win in Group H.  The Belgium international striker d the scoring against his fellow countrymen in the 11th minutes after Zaltan Ibrahimovic cleverly put him into scoring position with a snazzy back-heel. The goal was a good reflection of how Ajax's Ibrahimovic-Sonck up-front tandem is starting to swing.  In the second act Bengt Saeternes should have equalised for Brugge when coming face to face with goalie Lobont but the Norwegian saw his effort cleared off the line by Julien Escude.  In the 54th Dutch international forward  Wesley Sneijder released Sonck with a precision pass who made no mistake in netting for his second goal of the match. Sonck almost completed his fine performance with a third goal but his acrobatic header was blocked by goalkeeper Butina.
 

Ajax
Bogdan Lobont  -   Hatem Trabelsi  -   Petri Pasanen  -   Julien Escudé  -   Maxwell  -   Steven Pienaar (substituted 60' min)  -   Tomás Galásek  -   Rafael van der Vaart (substituted  77' min)  -   Wesley Sonck  -   Zlatan Ibrahimovic  -   Tom Soetaers (substituted  46' min)  -   Wesley Sneijder (came on 46' min)  -   Nigel de Jong (came on  60' min)  -   Jelle van Damme (came on  77' min)  -  

Preview Ajax - Club Brugge

01 Oct 2003
League leaders Ajax face Belgian outfit Club Brugge in the Champions League this evening in the knowledge that they cannot afford to drop points in this 'easy' home game. Although Ajax demonstrated in their away match to the current holders of the cup that they belong to Europe's top clubs when they were defeated 0-1 by AC Milan, they cannot afford to leave the Amsterdam Arena empty handed tonight.  Ajax trainer Ronald Koeman, who has three Belgiums players in his own side, expects a hard game but is reasonably optimistic for a good result. Koeman: "We have watched them in recent weeks and the Belgian players at our team (Wesley Sonck, Tom Soetaers and Jelle van Damme) have also told us what to expect. If you want to make it to the second round, you have to win your home games. From the next two games we have to get a minimum of four points. I have heard people say that it won't be that hard to beat Brugge. But don't forget, they beat Borussia Dortmund in the third qualifying round, so they are a good team. I'm sure it won't be an easy job. They are a physical side and they are very strong. But they will have a lot of trouble with our midfield. Our midfield must bring us the victory."
Although the Amsterdammers still have John O'Brien, Zdenek Grygera and  Jari Litmanen sidelined, Rumanian winger  Nicolae Mitea, who has impressed in Ajax's reserve team with three goals,  has been added to the squad, leaving Koeman with the problem who to axe to make room for the new addition. Koeman: "He did well, so he deserves a chance. I will decide which player I will drop from the squad,"
Ajax face a Brugge who are forced to miss key players Andres Mendoza and Sandy Martens, who are both suspended after picking up red cards during Brugge's opening game against Celta Vigo. Midfielder Alin Stoica will also have to watch the match from the sidelines due to an injury and injured defenders Olivier de Kock and David Rozehnal are also doubtful.
Brugge coach Trond Sollied: "David still has to play with a face mask, if he is playing.  We have to decide after our final training session as he will only plays if he can give 100%. Olivier didn't train until now because of an injury and I also have to watch him during the last practice."
Ajax and PSV satisfied with draw

28 Aug 2003
Ajax will have to face Champions League winners AC Milan in this year's event after being drawn in the same groups as the Italian giants this afternoon. Ajax, who were narrowly beaten by Milan in last season's semi-final, now have the chance to revenge themselves for their unfortunate elimination. Star midfielder Rafael van der Vaart stated after the draw "I'm very satisfied with the draw and Milan are the toughest opponents, however we do have a score to settle with them. I'm not so familiar with the other clubs. Of course it wont be a walkover, after all Club Brugge qualified after knocking Dortmund out" Ajax start against AC Milan on September 17.  Group H: AC Milan, Ajax, Celta de Viga , Club Brugge.

PSV trainer Guus Hiddink believes his outfit have a reasonable chance of getting through to the second round of the Champions League for the first time in the Club's history after being drawn against AS Monaco, Deportivo La Coruna , AEK Athens in group C.  The PSV coach stated directly after the draw that he regarded the away matches to Deportivo and AEK Athens to be the hardest but was none the less satisfied with the group. Hiddink "I know Deportivo from my time in Spain and so know how hard it  The Eindhovenaren start the competition with a home game againt French outfit AS Monaco.
Ajax scrape through to Champions League

28 Aug 2003
Ajax have managed to qualify for this year's Champions League, scraping through by the skin of their teeth after narrowly beating Austrian outfit Graz AK 2-1 in Amsterdam with man of the match Tomas Galasek bagging 104th minute penalty. After a quarter of an hour Zlatan Ibrahimovicd the score with a well placed header that sailed into the back of the net from 15 meters.  However, although Ajax were slighty the better of the two teams it was no surprise when former Twente striker Roland Kollmann leveled five minutes before the break. After a goalless second act the match went into extra-time and with Ajax finally taking matters seriously the Austrians began to shake. Shortly after Potscher was sent off Ajax were awarded a penalty when Ehman deliberately hand balled on the penalty area reducing the Austrians to nine men.  Galasek did not hesitate to take his responsibility and blasted home from the spot.
Preview Ajax - AZ Grazer

27 Aug 2003
Ajax, who booked a 1-1 draw in their first leg Champions League qualifier against AZ Grazer, will have to face the Austrian outfit in tonight's return without ace defender Hatem Trabelsi after the Tunisian sportsman of the year joined Ajax's  long list of injuries after damaging his left knee in training. However, coach Koeman will be able to make use of the services of Czech Republic international midfielder Tomas Galasek who is expected to make his return tonight.. After last weekend's narrow 0-1 win at RBC, Koeman believes that his current midfield is "too offensive", Koeman: "The midfield is playing too offensive, players don't think about defending. In that way, Galasek is important to us.", Ajax captain Van der Vaart added: "I know that I, as captain, have to keep the team on a string. I've tried, but failed sometimes. I hope we can close the past few weeks. I'm confident that we will make it to the Champions League. Those games are different than a game in the competition. It is so important for us to qualify, we will do anything to accomplish that."
Although Ajax have Jari Litmanen, Sander Boschker, Anthony Obodai, John O'Brien and Abubakari Yakubu on the sidelines, The Austrians will also have to miss three players for this evening's confrontation. Striker Michael Goossens has been sidelined after picking up a leg injury in Sunday's 4-1 league defeat at Bregenz. Midfielder Martin Amerhauser is still suffering from a shoulder complaint, while Nigerian striker Bennedict Akwuegbu is currently in his homeland to attend the funeral of a family member. However. Grazer striker Roland Kollmann is confident his club can cause an upset, saying: "Our chance is bigger as most of the people think. Ajax are certainly not in their best shape yet - the close 1-0 victory against Roosendaal last Saturday proves that. If we are able to repeat our performance from the first game in Graz, we will come through."


 




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