Barcelona vs Ajax: A classic Champions League affair before El Clasico
Barcelona will face Ajax Amsterdam at the Camp Nou on Tuesday in what will be the third-ever clash between two of the most successful clubs in the prestigious Champions League.
Inevitably, the name of Dutch master Johan Cruyff springs to mind whenever a supporter of the Catalan giants thinks of Ajax. If Barca practices the beautiful style of football that attracts admiration from every corner of the planet today, it is thanks to the influence the Flying Dutchman brought from the capital of the Netherlands first in the mid-1970s, as a player under Rinus Michels, then as an inspirational manager himself in the late 1980s.
Always put the team first. Do not hide from responsibility. Respect not only others but also yourself. Be welcoming. Explore creative ways to improve. Help your teammates. Stay true to who you really are. Make a positive difference on and off the pitch. Improve your technique. Understand your role within your team's formation. Cultivate your body and soul. Learn something new every single day. Be a team player. Use your skills to innovate. The 14 rules that are displayed in the many Cruyff Courts within Catalunya and beyond illustrate both the Barca and Ajax philosophy in a simple yet hugely effective way.
But there is much more: The relationship between the Blaugranas and the Eredivisie champions does not begin and end with the Dream Team manager. Up to 19 players have represented both clubs, including the illustrious Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and, within the current squad, Luis Suarez and Thomas Vermaelen. Having such a similar way of understanding the game of football enabled a coach like Louis van Gaal to work at both the Amsterdam Arena and Camp Nou.
Barcelona are on a roll at the moment, especially in La Liga. Luis Enrique's men are sitting comfortably at the top of the domestic league table with 22 points, still unbeaten, having scored 22 goals in just eight matches and with Claudio Bravo currently on a record streak of consecutive clean sheets.
It is expected that Enrique will continue to trust German youngster Marc Andre ter Stegen on goal in the Champions League despite his looking far too shaky during the 3-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the last round of the biggest tournament in European football. Prospects are only capable of fulfilling their true potential if given enough time learn from their own mistakes, so hopefully the 22-year-old will silence critics if placed between the posts on Tuesday.
Neymar is becoming increasingly decisive as the season develops. His lethal connection with Lionel Messi is certainly one of the main reasons for the team's visible improvement under Enrique. The Brazilian has boosted his strength, stamina and speed thanks to a well-structured fitness program including a much more strict diet and weight-lifting regime. The No. 11 is now better prepared to withstand the many tackles he suffers, making it easier for him to not only stand on his feet despite being challenged, but also instantly burst forward with his trademark diagonal runs.
Messi, as is tradition, is expected to lead Barca's attack once again. While the media is becoming increasingly anxious awaiting the moment he finally breaks Telmo Zarra's historical goal-scoring record of 251 goals in La Liga, the quadruple Ballon d'Or winner does not seem fazed by the prospect and continues to keep his focus on the very next match rather than off-the-field speculation. Sure, one of the most anticipated Clasicos in recent history is less than a week away, but beating Ajax on Tuesday must come first.
In what can only be described as an extremely unusual move by Enrique, Javier Mascherano was fielded as a holding midfielder in the 3-0 win over Eibar on Saturday. Obviously, the courageous Argentine has been excelling in that position when on international duty for a number of years but, due to the form Sergio Busquets has shown in previous seasons, Masche has regularly been placed at the heart of the back line instead. With Busquets apparently recovering from muscular discomfort, it is more than likely that the No. 14 will be given the chance to build on his stellar performance against Eibar in his preferred position, behind the two more creative interior midfielders.
Considering all the points above, here's a predicted lineup for the game against Levante: Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Jeremy Mathieu, Jordi Alba; Mascherano, Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta; Neymar, Munir El Haddadi, Messi.
Here's hoping for a Blaugrana win against the Dutch champions. Despite the many similarities between both clubs, Barca has an incredibly powerful squad which, if working collectively in the way that has taken them to the top of their domestic league, has every chance of coming up victorious on Tuesday.
The quote: "I would love to score against Ajax and Real Madrid in El Clasico. I'm living the dream with Barca, I'm happy and enjoying every moment. Messi? It is an honour to hear him say that I will be the world's best in the future. I am a huge fan of his; he surprises me in training every day, the best player I've ever seen" -- Neymar.