Ajax need to bounce back in the Champions League after that 4-0 mauling handed to them by Barcelona on Matchday One at the Camp Nou. However, it doesn't get much easier with AC Milan waiting in the wings, on a high, after their own opening European win over Celtic.
Frank De Boer's side was outclassed by Barcelona in their first game, with Lionel Messi coming to the fore like only he can.
However, an Ajax side playing away from home is a completely different one to the one that plays in the home comforts of the Amsterdam Arena. De Boer would have expressed his disappointment to his players after the opening defeat and will expect quite a bit more against a Milan side, who while being dangerous, are definitely beatable.
"The most important thing is that we try to get three points," De Boer, who experienced quite a number of big games during his playing career, said. "The next three matches are crucial.
"We will go into the match with a positive attitude. We don't have a team that can sit back and play on the counter. The most important thing is that we play our own game. You don't expect to get points at Camp Nou, our best chances will come at home."
Massimiliano Allegri will be confident his side can pick up all three points against Ajax, after two late goals helped them to a 2-0 win over Celtic in the first game. Allegri wants his side to go out and pick up a win, so that there is less pressure in the back-to-back games against Barcelona.
"There are no easy games in Europe," Allegri said. "Ajax play good football, so we must be careful. They are good at recovering the ball, so we must be at our best to win. Should we win, we stand a good chance of qualifying for the next round and can be more relaxed for the Barcelona games which will be very tough."
Team News: Ajax will have to do without the services of forward Bojan Krkic, who played for Milan last season, after the Spaniard suffered a hamstring injury in the 6-0 win over Go Ahead Eagles at the weekend.
Milan have a long injury list with Stephan El Shaarawy joining Daniele Bonera, Giampaolo Pazzini, Mattia De Sciglio, Matias Silvestre, Kaka and Riccardo Saponara in being ruled out of the game.
Key Men: Ajax: Viktor Fischer has the talent to be a world-beater, which is part of the reason why some of the biggest clubs have shown their interest in the striker. If the 19-year-old can impress against Milan, scoring a goal or two, his stock will rise considerably.
Milan: while Lionel Messi was the man to stop against Barcelona, with Milan it will be Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker is capable of scoring a goal out of nowhere, and De Boer will be hoping the Balotelli has an off game on Tuesday.
"Messi is a player that can decide a match and Balotelli is the same," De Boer said. "Balotelli is a fantastic player."
Where to watch
The match is scheduled for a 12.15 a.m. (IST, Wednesday) start, with no live telecast.
Expected lineups: Ajax: Cillessen, Van Rhijn, Moisander, Denswil, Boilesen, De Jong, Poulsen, Duarte, De Sa, Sigthorsson, Fischer.
AC Milan: Abbiati, Zaccardo, Zapata, Mexes, Constant, Poli, De Jong, Muntari, Birsa, Robinho, Balotelli.
Prediction: 2-1 Ajax
