Ajax to gain first leg advantage
Ajax and Sturm Graz enter the Champions League at the second qualifying round stage. The two clubs are part of the Champions League ‘league path’ due to their performances last season on domestic soil.
Ajax are still a little way away from starting the new Eredivisie season. Meanwhile, Sturm Graz will kick off the Austrian Bundesliga three days after clashing with Ajax in Amsterdam. Rustiness and a lack of fitness could play a big part in the first leg.
The Dutch club finished second in the Eredivisie last season. Ajax are on a four-year run without winning the Eredivisie. The club’s drought has coincided with PSV Eindhoven winning three of the last four trophies. Meanwhile, Ajax haven’t been able to secure the Dutch Cup since 2010. Due to the club’s trophy drought, it has brought in several players during the transfer window to stop the rot.
Ajax have spent over €42 million this offseason to improve their squad and return to the top of Dutch football. Defender Daley Blind signed from Manchester United and Dusan Tadic arrived from Southampton. The two high-profile players will improve Ajax’s defence and midfield. The club did allow exciting teen prospect Justin Kluivert to go to Roma. Ajax received more than €22m for him. The club has replaced the teen with proven top-flight players and are better now than a few months ago.
Ajax have been eliminated in the Champions league or Europa League qualifying rounds in each of the last three seasons. The Dutch side did make the Europa League final in 2016-17 but were greatly outplayed by Manchester United on the night.
Sturm Graz finished the Bundesliga season behind champions Red Bull Salzburg last term. The Austrians do not have much Champions League experience. Sturm Graz appeared in the Europa League qualifying rounds last season. They were knocked out in the third qualifying round be Fenerbache. The 2011-12 season was the last time Sturm Graz appeared in the Champions league. On that occasion, the Austrians were knocked out in the playoff round.
Ajax scored an Eredivisie high 89 goals a season ago. David Neres and Klass-Jan Huntelaar combined to score 27 times in the league. Both will return for Ajax this season. The club’s defence gave up just 33 goals, which was the lowest in the Dutch league. Despite being solid in defence and attack, the club still managed to miss out on the league title to a determined PSV. Sturm Graz gave up 45 goals while scoring 68 in 2017-18. The team isn’t as strong as Ajax and will have difficulty slowing down the Dutch.
The fixture will be a close game as neither team has played a league or Champions league qualifying match yet. Ajax will find a winner and go into the second leg with an advantage.
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