Cruyff backs Ajax at Bernabeu

Football legend Johan Cruyff believes Ajax can surprise Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League Group D match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Eredivisie champions were beaten 2-0 in the Spanish capital last year with real in dominant mood.

But Cruyff, a supervisory board member with the Dutch club, feels Ajax could get a result this time around following the Spaniards’ unconvincing start to the new campaign.

“Normally, Ajax face a difficult evening in Madrid. However, there are plenty of question marks about Real Madrid’s form,” Cruyff said in his column in De Telegraaf newspaper.

“They have been very inconsistent in the opening weeks of the season and you can see that bothers them.”

“Ajax have to be very organised. I can see them getting a few chances. ”

“Madrid’s centre-backs are superb in the duels, but their positioning is rather suspect. I’d say that is their Achilles heel and Ajax could take advantage of that.”

Ajax started the group stage with a scoreless draw against Olympique Lyonnais, while Real Madrid beat Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 in their opener.