Napoli look to take a stranglehold on the group with a difficult fixture at the Johan Cruyff Arena, while Ajax aim to level the scales, as a win could result in a 3-way tie at the top of Group A
AFC Ajax
Like Napoli, Ajax have undergone significant change over the last six months. Manager Alfred Schreuder was hired to replace Erik Ten Haag after the latter became the new Manchester United Manager.
The Dutch Manager took two of his best Ajax players, Antony and Lisandro Martinez, with him to United, for a total cost of approximately £137 million.
Ajax also sold Sebastien Haller to Borussia Dortmund, Ryan Gravenberch to Bayern Munich, Perr Schurrs to Torino and Nicholas Tagliafico to Lyon. The proceeds of those sales were used to acquire Steven Bergwijn from Tottenham Hotspurs, Calvin Bassey from Glasgow Rangers, Brian Brobbey from RB Leipsig, Owen Wijndal from AZ Alkmaar, Ahmetcan Kaplan from Trabzonspor and Francisco Conceição from Porto.
With a net spend of approximately -€119 million, the transfer market was a massive financial success. Up until recently, it was a massive success on the pitch as well, despite the departure of so many key players. Ajax opened the 2022/23 campaign with seven consecutive wins in all competitions, including a 4-0 drubbing of Rangers in their opening match of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.
However, Ajax have failed to win in three consecutive matches in all competitions. They conceded an 89th minute winner to Liverpool on the second matchday of the Group stage, before losing 2-1 to AZ Alkmaar and drawing 1-1 to Go Ahead Eagles in the Dutch Eredivisie.
SSC Napoli
Napoli have continued their impressive run of form to start the 2022/23 campaign. The Partenopei’s 3-1 victory over Torino on Saturday was their fourth consecutive win in Serie A and their sixth consecutive win in all competitions.
The recent results have been even more impressive considering Napoli have played without their star striker, Victor Osimhen, for nearly a month. The results are also a testament to the work done by Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli, who not only replaced key players who had departed, but also improved the depth of the squad.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named the FIFA Serie A Player of the Month for the month of August and Kim Min-jae was named the FIFA Serie A Player of the Month for the month of September. Meanwhile, Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Siemone have made important contributions in the absence of Osimhen. Mathias Olivera, Leo Østigård, Tanguy Ndombele and Alessio Zerbin have all pitched in as well.
Injuries/Suspensions
For Ajax, central defender Ahmetcan Kaplan continues to recover from an ACL injury and has been ruled out for this match. Right back Jorge Sanchez is also out due to knee problems.
For Napoli, Victor Osimhen continues to recover from a thigh muscle injury suffered in Napoli’s Champions League fixture against Liverpool.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Alfred Schreuder:
“We have seen a lot of Napoli matches. They are really strong and they have faith in themselves. The left side is very important in Napoli’s game. Mario Rui is very important to distribute the play. Against Milan, Napoli dominated in the second half, as well as against Rangers. We need to try to do our best.”
Luciano Spalletti:
“I took into consideration this year’s Ajax, not last year’s. It seems to me that Schreuder is doing a great job again this year. They like to play a bit like we do, maybe. They also have a chance to break through with strong forwards. It will be an exciting challenge, a magnificent stadium and a fantastic club. We will only be able to become great by playing great matches.”
Previous Meetings
| January 21, 1970 (Fairs Cup) | AFC Ajax | 4-0 AET | SSC Napoli |
| December 10, 1969 | SSC Napoli | 1-0 | AFC Ajax |
Match Officials
Head Official: François Letexier
Assistants: Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni
Fourth Official: Jérémy Stinat
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski and Benoit Millot
