Barcelona-bound Frenkie de Jong takes a light-hearted approach to training as Ajax prepare to host Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 in Amsterdam
- Ajax take on Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 on Wednesday
- Ajax are second in the Dutch Eredivisie, six points behind rivals PSV Eindhoven
- Frenkie de Jong has been an injury doubt but he is expected to start against Real
- De Jong will be keen to impress with him moving to Barcelona in the summer
Frenkie de Jong doesn’t appear afraid of Real Madrid one bit as the Ajax midfielder prepared for the visit of the Spanish giants in training on Tuesday.
De Jong was pictured pointing and laughing with the rest of his team-mates as Ajax put together the final touches to their plans for the last-16 Champions League tie.
The 21-year-old, who will join Barcelona on a five-year deal in the summer, was an injury doubt as recent as Monday.
Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong appeared rather animated in training on Tuesday afternoon
De Jong was an injury doubt but managed to train for the full session on Tuesday in Amsterdam
He will be expected to provide a creative edge to Ajax against Real Madrid on Wednesday
Ajax will be reliant on De Jong to provide a creative spark when Santiago Solari’s side visit the Amsterdam Arena.
Real head to Holland in good form after beating rivals Atletico Madrid 3-1 in La Liga on Saturday.
Ajax are six points behind league-leaders PSV Eindhoven after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Hercales on Friday.
Erik ten Hag’s side have only won one of their four league games in 2019.
Ajax haven’t been in good form of late after winning just one of their four league games in 2019
Klass-Jan Huntelaar (right) played for Real Madrid for eight month in 2009 before leaving
Ajax will need to replicate their Champions League form from earlier in the season against Real
Striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar has scored 10 goals in 22 appearances this season.
Huntelaar played for Real for eight months in 2009 before moving to Milan.
He wants Ajax to replicate their form from earlier in the season, when finished second in their Champions League group on 12 points behind Bayern Munich.
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag (left) wants a big response from his players when Real visit
Ajax’s players, including Nicolas Tagliafico (centre) take part in a short passing drill on Tuesday
‘If we play like we played earlier this season in the Champions League, we can make it very difficult for Real Madrid,’ he said.
‘But, at first hand, they are the favourites. We will only be satisfied if we qualify for the next round.
‘It’s more realistic to think they will make it, but that’s not the way we think, because this is our chance to make history.’
