Ajax star Frenkie de Jong a major doubt for second leg at Juventus after limping off with hamstring problem in league win over Excelsior
- Frenkie de Jong is a major doubt for Ajax’s quarter-final second leg at Juventus
- The midfielder suffered hamstring issue during their league win over Excelsior
- De Jong will have further tests to reveal the extent of his injury ahead of clash
Ajax star Frenkie de Jong is a major doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Juventus after limping out of their 6-2 win over Excelsior on Saturday.
It is unclear at this stage if the midfielder’s injury will keep him out of the trip to Turin with further tests required to reveal the extent of his problem.
Coach Erik ten Hag said it was too early to confirm whether or not de Jong would miss the match but the initial fears are that he will.
Frenkie de Jong is a major doubt for second leg at Juventus after suffering a hamstring issue
‘He felt something wrong with his hamstring and so we took him off as a precaution,’ Ten Hag told reporters afterwards.
‘We were already 1-0 up so there was no point taking any risks.’
De Jong’s omission would come as a huge blow for Ajax, who have it all to do after drawing the first leg 1-1 in Amsterdam.
The midfielder only lasted 28 minutes of Ajax’s 6-2 league victory over Excelsior on Saturday
The 21-year-old, who moves to Barcelona at the end of the season, impressed during the first leg despite struggling with his fitness.
He had also picked up a problem the week before the Juventus clash but managed to play the full 90 minutes in the draw.
Saturday’s victory for Ajax put them three clear of PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Eredivisie, but their rivals can go level on points with them with victory over lowly De Graafschap.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag said it is too early to tell whether or not de Jong would miss the match