Ajax vs Lyon preview

May 2, 2017
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

This is the first time after quite a while that both Ajax and Lyon are in a position to fight for a European trophy and we definitely expect to see a highly entertaining game at Amsterdam ArenA.

The Amsterdammers are one of Europe’s most successful sides with 4 European Cup and one UEFA Cup trophy to their name, but it’s been 22 years since their last major European trophy.

Ajax were not exactly seen as one of the favourites for the Europa League title this season, but they did well to reach the semi-finals.

The Amsterdammers defeated the likes of Legia Warsaw, FC Kobenhavn and Schalke in the knockout stages and they are priced at 2.38 (11/8) to reach the final.

The weekend’s loss to arch rivals PSV Eindhoven saw the team virtually say goodbye to the Eredivisie trophy, with Feyenoord carrying a four-point advantage into the final two games.

This means that Ajax will now fully focus on an attempt to end the long wait for a European trophy and Lyon is the next obstacle.

Head coach Peter Bosz faces serious selection problems considering that Joel Veltman and Nick Viergever are both banned, while Bertrand Traore is injured and Daley Sinkgraven is doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Onana – Tete, Sanchez, de Ligt, Sinkgraven – Klaassen, Schone, Ziyech – Kluivert, Dolberg, Younes.

Sitting 20 points behind third-placed Nice with four games to go, Lyon cannot be satisfied with the outcome of the current Ligue 1 campaign.

Les Gones, however, did well to promote several talented footballers in recent years, while they saved their best performances for the Europa League.

Victories over AZ Alkmaar, AS Roma and Besiktas saw Lyon secure their place in the semi-final, where they are considered favourites to defeat Ajax.

Les Gones head into the high-profile match in good spirits after defeating Angers to return to winning ways, but they do have some important missings at the moment.

Star striker Alexandre Lacazette has made the trip to Amsterdam, but he is highly unlikely to start, whereas Corentin Tolisso and Emanuel Mammana are rated doubtful.

Memphis Depay is ineligible having represented Manchester United earlier this season, while Maciej Rybus has remained in France.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopes – Jallet, N’Koulou, Diakhaby, Morel – Tousart, Gonalons – Cornet, Tolisso, Valbuena – Fekir.

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