Ajax to play for quarter final clash with Villarreal
10 March: Internazionale vs Ajax is played one week later
than the other second legs in the 'round of sixteen' of the
Champions League, which has led to the unusual situation that
the two teams will know on Tuesday which opponent
they'll be facing if they advance, namely Spanish outfit
Villarreal. It seems a more interesting opponent than AC Milan
or Juventus and might, therefore, be an extra
encouragement.
The draw ceremony took place in Paris, city of this
year's Champions League final. The draw in full:
- Arsenal FC - Juventus
- Olympique Lyonnais - AC Milan
- Internazionale/Ajax - Villarreal
- Benfica - FC Barcelona
Immediately after the quarter final draw all the teams went
back into the bowl for the semi-final draw. If Ajax
manage to eliminate both Inter and Villarreal they
will be up against the winners of Arsenal vs Juventus.
- Arsenal/Juventus -
Inter/Ajax/Villarreal
- Lyon/Milan - Benfica/Barcelona
Inter vs Ajax is played one week later because both of the
'San Siro teams' (Inter and AC Milan) were at home in the
second leg of the round of sixteen. It is against UEFA
rules that two Champions League fixtures are played at the same
stadium on two consecutive days. For that reason, one of the
home fixtures for a Milan team had to be re-scheduled to a
later date.
The first legs of the quarter finals are scheduled for 28
and 29 March. The return legs will be played two weeks later,
on 04 or 05 April. If Ajax advance on Tuesday they
will play their first game against Villarreal at the Amsterdam
ArenA.
But that's all very premature. If Ajax
advance to the quarter finals Ajax USA will publish a
comprehensive club profile of Villarreal CF, from the small
town of Vila-Real on the east coast of Spain, but first the
Amsterdammers face Internazionale. Without Grygera. Without
Galásek. Without Heitinga. Without Sneijder.
(MP)
Source: NOS Teletekst
Related links
