De Boer plays down tough Ajax draw

Ajax coach Frank de Boer says his side have nothing to lose after they were drawn in the toughest Champions League group of 2012/13.

The Eredivisie title holders were allocated a place in Group D, alongside Real Madrid, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund, the champions of Spain, England and Germany respectively.

Speaking to reporters after the draw in Monaco on Thursday, De Boer said Ajax should have no fear despite being drawn against such heavyweight opposition.

“The pressure is on the other teams,” he said.

“We’re just going to play our own game.”

De Boer believes being drawn with Real Madrid for a third consecutive season gives the Dutch powerhouse a chance to show how strong they are, as he analysed the other teams in the group.

“Against Real, we can prove our worth again. Last season we had a good match in Madrid and two disallowed goals at the Amsterdam Arena.

“City have an incredible quality in defence, which is very solid. And they have five or six lethal strikers to choose from, meaning they can score at any time. They’re just a strong team.

“And the same goes for Dortmund, who won the title in Germany twice in a row.

“Bayern Munich went to the final of the Champions League, but Dortmund won the championship twice. That says something about the power of BVB.”

Ajax start their Champions League campaign in Germany on September 18 when they face Dortmund.