Ajax starts with Gravenberch at home match with Benfica in CL

Ajax starts at 9 p.m. with Ryan Gravenberch in the team at the home match against Benfica in the eighth finals of the Champions League. In a sold-out Johan Cruijff ArenA, the 19-year-old midfielder is preferred over Davy Klaassen, who takes place on the bench.

Gravenberch scored the winning goal at SC Cambuur (3-2) last Friday. He also prepared the goals of Dusan Tadic and Sébastien Haller in Leeuwarden. The basic formation of Ajax for the decisive duel with Benfica has no surprises. Jurriën Timber, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martínez and Edson Álvarez are fit for kick-off.

The first match between Ajax and Benfica ended in a draw (2-2) three weeks ago. Goals in away matches are no longer the deciding factor this season if there is a tie after two matches. If there is no winner after regular time, there will be extra time and possibly another penalty shootout.

At Benfica, Nicolás Otamendi returns to the basic formation. The experienced Argentinian, together with Jan Vertonghen, forms the center of the defense of the club from Lisbon.

Lineups

Ajax: Onana; Mazraoui, Timber, Martínez and Blind; Álvarez, Berghuis and Gravenberch; Anthony, Haller and Tadic.

Benfica: Vlachodimos; Grimaldo, Vertonghen, Otamendi and Gilberto; Taarabt, Weigl, Everton and Rafa Silva; Goncalo Ramos and Darwin Nuñez.