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MATCH PREVIEW

ROMA have won 11 out of 11 European ties when they have triumphed in the first leg and they will be hoping to make it a Dutch dozen when they welcome Ajax to Italy in this Europa League quarter final second leg.

The Dutch cracks were strangely subdued in the first leg in Amsterdam. Even when they took the lead through Davy Klaassen, they never cracked on, missed a penalty through Pau Lopez’s save from Dusan Tadic, before Lorenzo Pellegrini and Roger Ibanez won it for the Italians.

While it’s hard to imagine Ajax playing as poorly again, they have problems with keeper Maarten Stekelenburg out (young replacement Kjell Scherpen was at fault for the equaliser), while Daley Blind and Noussair Mazraoui are injured. Andre Onana is suspended.

Roma looked like they could score every time they went up the pitch at the Johan Cruyff ArenA and will have high hopes of pushing a disappointing domestic season in Serie A, where they are only seventh, to one side and reaching the last four of this competition.

PREDICTION

For arguably the first time in this season’s Europa League, Erik ten Hag’s Ajax are under some serious pressure, after a late Roma goal saw the Italian giants emerge 1-2 winners in Amsterdam as the two played out an intriguing quarter-final first leg. The defeat was Ajax’s first after a run of seven straight wins in all competitions, however the Dutch side bounced back over the weekend with victory over RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie.

Ajax can take heart however from Roma’s inconsistency, knowing that the Italians have lost two of their last five matches played at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite losing the first leg, Ajax record 15 shots on goal with nine of them on target and it would be a surprise if ten Hag’s men weren’t more clinical in front of goal this time around.

However, Roma have netted at least once in nine of their last 11 games in all competitions and with home advantage in their favour, they are more than capable of scoring themselves as they proved in the first leg. Therefore, regardless of who progresses to the semi-finals, consider both teams to score in this one.

Over 3.25 goals would be predicted.

Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.