It seems Ajax is saving its best performance for the Champions League. While results for the Dutch League champion are wanting in the Premier competition, the Amsterdammers played well on Tuesday against Olympique Lyon in an away duel which ended in a nil-nil draw.

This puts Ajax in a good position for the next round of the Champions League. In the last group match against Real Madrid on 7 December, Ajax will defend its three point lead on Olympique Lyon. The French team plays Dinamo Zagreb at the same time.

It was clear the Dutch team was missing four attackers due to injury. While Olympique’s injured players were back on the pitch. Nevertheless it was the home team’s clumsiness that meant the Dutch did not get into difficulties.

In the first half, Theo Janssen and Lorenzo Ebecilio created chances, but failed to consilodate them.
At the beginning of the second half Miralem Suljemani came close to scoring twice. The first attempt met resistance from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and the next shot was stopped by defender Aly Cissokho. Coach De Boer's decision to stick with goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer in spite of his poor showing in recent weeks was vindicated. Just before the whistle, he saved a goal by Bastos and the day.

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