AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Ajax Amsterdam coach Erik ten Hag mentioned no team will get pleasure from being drawn in opposition to them in the Champions League spherical of 16 when the pairings are introduced on Monday after the Dutch membership received all six of their group stage matches.
Ajax accomplished a clear sweep of Group C with a 4-2 residence win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, with Sebastien Haller changing into solely the second participant after Cristiano Ronaldo (2017/18) to rating in all six group video games.
With Liverpool additionally successful six out of six in their group this marketing campaign, the variety of groups to have achieved the feat stands at 9, UEFA mentioned.
“It is already tough to win one match, not to mention six in a row,” mentioned Ten Hag, who added that he wouldn’t watch the draw for the following spherical.
“We’ll see what comes out. You additionally know in advance that it will be robust, however we have now gained confidence.
“We know we can achieve something. No team will enjoy being drawing against Ajax. But we also know that we have to be very good to go to the next round.”
Haller, who scored 10 objectives in the group, mentioned he was pleased with the team’s performances.
“Of course I really feel nice, however primarily due to the 18 factors from six video games,” mentioned the French-born Ivory Coast worldwide.
“We might be very pleased with what we have now achieved in the group stage. As an expert soccer participant, you dream of enjoying such matches and doing nicely on this podium. Ten objectives could be very good.”
(Wiring by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
