Ajax-Lazio: Biancocelesti in Holland to maintain the lead, lineups and TV times

Amsterdam 11 December 2024 – Every match this team seems to have reached its limit, yet it does not stop and surprise after surprise continues to remain in open contention for both the title in Italy and in Europe. It is a great Lazio that of this first part of the season, thanks to the great work of the latest arrival on the bench Marco Baroni. On the other hand, those who have always been great in their own country are theAjax, the symbolic team of Dutch football now chasing a return to the top here too thanks to a new face on the bench: Francesco Farioli. Two true Tuscans on the bench for one of the most interesting challenges of this first part of Europa League, which will take place tomorrow when the Lancers will host the Eaglets in the challenge valid for the sixth day of the competition: kick-off scheduled for 21pm in the Johan Cruijff Arena. 

For the Lazio This will probably be the most difficult clash of their European season in a draw that, on paper, is not very lucky for the team from the capital. Marco Baroni However, he managed to make a virtue of necessity and take advantage of the complicated challenges to have a further chance of growth and so here are the successes against Nice e Harbour to testify this process of improvement. Now the Lazio coach is expected to face the very tough test ofAjax, for a final stage of the championship phase among the most complicated possible, where the Biancocelesti, in addition to the Dutch, will have to face Real Sociedad e Braga. The environmental factor of the away match should not be underestimated, given that it is known that the Lancers' stadium is among the hottest in Europe. Unfortunately for the Lazio not even the away sector will be able to be coloured in white and blue, by virtue of the decision of the mayor of the city to prohibit the travel of the fans of the capital. The club has already expressed its opinion on the matter through the words of the president lotito and above all of the director Angelo Fabiani, the latter also protagonist of a vitriolic press conference when the official communication arrived regarding the choice of the first citizen of the Dutch capital. Luckily for the Lazio club, the double success between Coppa Italia e Serie A gave a big boost to the season, an inertia that Baroni aims to preserve it in Amsterdam too.

On the other side of the fence there is however a team that seems to be coming out of a couple of complicated seasons. The Amsterdam team is in fact facing a period of rebirth, after having won three titles in four years from 2018-19 to 2021-22, the many sales of the protagonists of this golden period of the lancers, has clearly led to a decline in results which however was unexpected, despite the premises. From first place in fact the red and whites have fallen in the standings, also losing the Champions League in the last two seasons and this has led to the current season where the definitive rebirth of the lancers has been entrusted to Farioli. After a complicated start, the Italian coach seems to have found the right balance and the climb up the rankings has been vertical, with even success in Eredivisie against the league leaders PSV Eindhoven. Not only this: even in Europe, albeit only in Europa League, the Dutch are back to being scary and in the challenge at the Johan Cruijff Arena they aim to put their first defeat in their continental record. Baroni.

Leading this very hot challenge between Ajax e Lazio, Uefa he appointed the Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak. The referee in this sixth day of the Europa League will be assisted by his compatriots Branislav Hancko and Adam Jekkel, while the IV Official will be Peter Kralovic. At VAR, the Polish Tomasz Kwiatkowski, AVAR the French Willy Delajod. The referee born in Bratislava has already crossed paths with the Lancers six times in his career, with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats for the Dutch; only one previous match with the Biancocelesti, dated 8 March 2018, when the Capitoline team drew 2-2 against Dinamo Kiev in the round of 16 of theEuropa League of that year. For Kruzliak it will be the 18th direction of the season, the first in Europa League, to which he adds 3 of Champions and 2 by Nations League, in addition to 11 home matches, including 9 in the top Slovak league and 1 in Saudi Pro League.

Probable lineups

Some changes for Farioli compared to the formation seen in the Eredivisie against AZ Alkmaar: no touching in goal feather, defended in the center by the pair Sutalo e bass, bench instead for Rugani. On the left flanks he is sure of his place Hato, while on the opposite side it should go Gaaei. In midfield alongside the captain Henderson, Fitz Jim is in the run-off with Van Den Boomen, while Mountain house he is apparently sure of his place. In attack he returns Brobbey owner, with Traoré e Apocalypse to complete the trident.

Baroni continues to rotate his players, giving great space to the entire squad at his disposal. In front of mandas, compared to the challenge of Serie A, the entire defensive line changes, with Lazzari, Leg, Patric e Pellegrini. Confirmed in midfield Dele Bashiru, in great form, alongside rovella. Returns owner noslin in three-quarters, they should act alongside him Tchaouna e Pedro, while Castilians will be the offensive terminal.

Ajax (4-3-3) Pasveer; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Fitz-Jim, Henderson, Berghuis; Traore, Brobbey, Akpom. All. Francesco Farioli.

Lazio (4-2-3-1) Mandas; Lazzari, Gigot, Patric, Pellegrini; Dele-Bashiru, Rovella; Tchaouna, Noslin, Pedro; Castellanos. All. Marco Baroni.

Where to watch the match

The match between Ajax e Lazio of the Johan Crujff Arena, valid for the sixth day of the championship phase of Europa League, will start at 21pm on Thursday 12 December 2024. There will be several options available to watch the match. The match will be visible on satellite on the platform Sky, to the channels Sky Sports One (channel 201) e Sky Sports channel 252. The match will also be available in streaming on NOW for those who have subscribed to the platform and on Sky Go for those who have a Sky subscription. You can follow the match by downloading the app on your smart TV or by connecting the television to a PlayStation 4/5 console, Xbox, or to a Timvision Box, an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast device. Viewing is also possible via the app or website NOW on tablets, PCs and smartphones. The commentary of the challenge will be entrusted to Massimo Marianella and Nando Orsi.