Ajax are the next team to face Napoli’s wrath in the Champions League next week but tough results in their last three games don’t bode particularly well, highlights Apollo Heyes.
The Dutch giants started their domestic campaign in the usual slick fashion that seems them storm to the top of the Eredivisie table, but things have been a little difficult in Amsterdam since mid-September.
A 2-1 loss to Liverpool on September 13 was followed up by a 2-1 away loss to AZ Alkmaar, and Ajax did not bounce back from the international break in the best fashion, only picking up a 1-1 draw at home against Go Ahead Eagles.
Their slip has allowed AZ Alkmaar to overtake them in the table and given them something to mull over as they prepare to host an electric Napoli side, one of their toughest tests of the season.
Napoli have looked a team reborn under Luciano Spalletti this season, rising from the ashes of their failed Scudetto bid last season with the help of key additions like Kvara Kvaratskhelia, Kim Min-Jae and Giovanni Simeone.
The Partenopei showed no signs of slowing down in their 3-1 win over Torino yesterday and they’re starting to look comfortable at the top of the Serie A table.
Belief is starting to grow in Campania that this could be the year they break their three-decade dry spell in the search for a league title, something not achieved since the days of Diego Maradona.
Things have been equally impressive in Europe as Spalletti’s side stormed to wins over Liverpool and Rangers, putting them top of Group A, and they’ll be confident of another victory in Amsterdam next week.