Schalke 04 vs Ajax Amsterdam - Bosz wary of Schalke 'storm' - 7M sport

Schalke 04 vs Ajax Amsterdam - Bosz wary of Schalke 'storm'



Posted Wednesday, April 19, 2017 by PA

Ajax coach Peter Bosz warned his players must weather a Europa League "storm" in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday night when Schalke bid to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.

The Dutch side have one foot in the semi-finals thanks to two goals from captain Davy Klaassen at the Amsterdam Arena last week, but Bosz has predicted the Germans will throw everything at his side at the Veltins Arena.

"I expect an exasperated Schalke because they just played upside down in Amsterdam," Bosz told his club's official website.

"They will want to take revenge. They can save their season to some extent. In the (Bundesliga) they're not good for it. Europe is the only way they can save face this season.

"So I expect a storm-provoked Schalke, who will want to run us underfoot from the first minute."

Ajax, who have not reached the last four of a major European competition since 1997, spurned a host of chances to kill off the tie in the first leg.

Midfielder Klaassen converted a first-half penalty and added a second soon after the break to put Ajax in control, but Bosz is wary his side could be made to pay for not adding further goals.

"Unfortunately we have not inflicted the kill," he added.

"Normally a 2-0 victory in Europe at home is an excellent result, but if you had seen the (first) game, you would say: 'Too bad you don't already have it won'. We don't. It is still a very tough game there in Germany."

Ajax, knocked out of the Champions League before the group stages by Russian side Rostov, face a crucial week as they bid to replace Feyenoord at the top of the Eredivisie table with victory at PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.

The Amsterdammers will be without injured left-back Daley Sinkgraven against Schalke, but Danish midfielder Lasse Schone is available after missing the first leg through suspension.

Schalke will need to rediscover their best form if they are to find a way back after losing three of their last four matches.

Markus Weinzierl's side finished fifth in the Bundesliga last season, but slipped down to 11th on Sunday after conceding a stoppage-time winner at lowly Darmstadt.

Weinzierl is wary of leaving his defenders too exposed as his side chases an early goal, with Ajax wingers Amin Younes and Justin Kluivert both outstanding in the first leg.

"Ajax has its strengths on the external positions," Weinzierl told a press conference, quoted on Schalke's official Twitter site.

"We're worried how we do against them defensively. Overall we need to work more aggressively and cut off Ajax's supply line. An early goal would be desirable."

Die Konigsblauen will be without suspended left-back Thilo Kehrer, while fellow defenders Benedikt Howedes and Sead Kolasinac are both injury doubts.

But Serbia defender Matija Nastasic has been passed fit, as has veteran forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who hopes to feature against his former club.



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