Ajax are looking to keep their 100% record in the Champions league tonight as they travel to Istanbul to face Besiktas in group C for the second to last game tonight that kicks off at 17:45 and is live on BT Sport HD. Besiktas however, are looking for their first point in a dissapointing first 4 games in their Champions League campaign, only managing to score 2 goals so far.
Since the beginning of October, Besiktas have lost seven of their last 10 matches across all competitions. This run a 4-1 and 4-0 defeat against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
Besiktas only have pride to play for in their final two Group C games, with their next games being against Ajax tonight, and Dortmund in two weeks time.
In stark contrast, Ajax are enjoying a hugely-successful campaign so far, accumulating maximum points from their four Group C matches in the Champions League as well as sitting top of the Eredivisie after 13 league games.
Their most recent victory was a 5-0 thrashing of RKC Waalwijk on Sunday, with two goals from Berghuis and 2 from the main man Sebastian Haller, who has netted 9 goals in 13 games in top flight Dutch football.
A victory tonight for Ajax would see them guarentee 1st place in their group and with the Ajax boss De Godenzonen on a 29 away match
Victory for Ajax on Wednesday would see them become only the second Dutch side to win their opening five games of a European Cup or Champions League campaign, after Feyenoord back in 1971-72.
As De Godenzonen travel to Istanbul unbeaten in 29 away matches across all competitions in 2021, they should be very confident of extending such an exceptional run.
KICK OFF
20’ The cross comes in for Besiktas and Timber jumps at the ball in an uncontrolled jump that causes his arms to fly away from his body. The ball strikes his arm in the penalty area and after a review from VAR, Besiktas are awarded a penalty and Ghezzal has a chance from the penalty spot.
22’ GOAL!! GHEZZAL SCORES FROM THE SPOT!!
Ghezzal smashes it top right to beat Onana from the spot in a penalty that was impossible to reach. Besiktas lead within 22 minutes.
27’ Daramy cuts inside to beat Meras and strikes on his right foot hoping to bend it past Gunok and between the posts. However, it was a poor strike with not enough power to beat the keeper and possession fell to Besiktas.
30’ a quick counter attack from Besiktas allows Teixeira to slip the ball through to Cyle Larin, who shifts the ball past the defender and hits it low towards Onana’s near post, but he is able to get down and block the shot with his feet from close. Ajax need to be careful about getting caught out on the counter attack when they throw too many players forward desperate for a goal. Besiktas aren’t playing like a team with no points so far in this Champions League game.
39′ Deramy slides the ball through to Dusan Tadic, but is clotheslined by Montero and needs medical attention before he can carry on and the ball is kicked out of play but Deramy will re-enter play.
43′ Besiktas bagsman Cyle Larin has another chance from a one on one against Onana, but fails to produce an effort that is away from the keeper and hits it straight at him. The Canadian must take these chances before Ajax take theirs and score an equaliser because it looks like that is what’s to come in this game.
HALF TIME
A decent first half from Besiktas as they manage to keep their lead until half time, despite a catalogue of Ajax chances that they should have taken. Ajax have failed to test Mert Gunok enough and most of their chances are coming from the wings through David Neres and Deramy. If Ajax really want to carry on unbeaten in their group, they must take their chances and if Besiktas want to keep this lead and get their only point from a game so far in their last 5 fixtures. Cyle Larin has had many chances too against Onana, but he has failed to beat the Cameroonian.
Embed from Getty Images45′ SUBSTITUTION (Haller <-> Deramy)
54′ GOAL!!! SEBASTIAN HALLER EQUALISES!!
