Ajax and Benfica may not be the European juggernauts like they were fifty years ago. Between 1960-1973 Benfica and Ajax appeared in 8 out of 13 finals, winning on five occasions. These two dominated football in the 1960s-70s but success in Europe has been limited for both sides as the injection of money in football across Europe evaded them.
However both clubs remain breeding grounds to some of the best players in the world. Benfica's academy has produced the likes of Bernardo Silva, João Félix and Ruben Dias in recent years. Ajax have the likes of Christian Eriksen, Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt on their records along with a myriad of retired legends.
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Built on history. pic.twitter.com/pVc90ycfJW— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 23, 2022
Ahead of their match tonight we picked out five players to watch out for in Benfica vs Ajax tonight in the Champions League.
5 players to watch out for in Benfica vs Ajax
#1 Jurrien Timber
Timber is only 20-years old but has already accomplished a lot in his short career. The defender has made over 100 senior football appearances, has received six caps from the Netherlands and even got to play at Euro 2020 at just 19. He's a typical modern centre-back, confident on the ball along with being athletically gifted with rapid pace.
Jurriën Timber (2001) in the UEFA Champions League this season:
• 12.7 long passes attempted per 90
• 12.0 long passes completed per 90
• 8.6 OP passes into final third per 90
• 6.8 progressive passes per 90
AFC Ajax and ball progression. pic.twitter.com/tYrqx8mRVn— Scouted Football (@scoutedftbl) February 15, 2022
#2 Alejandro Grimaldo
The Spanish left-back has been at Benfica since 2016 when he joined for just under €2 million. Now he could be sold for well over 15 times that. Grimaldo came up through the prestigious La Masia academy, but rarely featured for the Barcelona first as Jordi Alba wasn't going to be dispatched. He's lethal over a dead ball and has racked up 12 goal contributions already this season. He's linked to a return back to the Nou Camp so we might be seeing more of him soon.
— divan (@nnavideo) January 27, 2022
#3 Antony
The winger is everything you expect from someone who hails from Brazil. He's got a bundle of tricks, amazing speed and confidence for days. Antony joined Ajax from Sao Paolo for €15 million back in 2020 and the move is looking like a shrewd bit of business for Ajax. He is a very hot prospect at the moment and with a 20 goal contribution so far this season, you can see why.
🇧🇷 Joga Bonito. Ajax star Antony is a born entertainer. #UCL pic.twitter.com/3EI2q4SPmM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2022
#4 Darwin Nuñez
Nuñez is the latest in the line of hard-running, technically sound Uruguayan strikers. He's been lethal in the Portuguese league this season, scoring 18 goals in just 19 outings and could be on the move this summer with Manchester United reportedly interested in the 22-year old.
Darwin Nunez in 6 #UCL games this season (2 starts):
👟 8 shots
⚽️ 3 goals [38% conversion]
Other Benfica players in 6 #UCL games this season:
👟 49 shots
⚽️ 4 goals [8% conversion]
The heir to Cavani’s throne? 👀🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/zPeaBRyMR6— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2022
#5 Ryan Gravenberch
The Ajax and Netherlands midfielder has been the golden boy of the Ajax set up for some time now. He's only 19 but this is already his third season of first team football and he's made over 90 appearances for the Ajax first team. Gravenberch has been touted as Pogba 2.0 and has everyone in Europe searching for his signature, with Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid all keeping tabs on him.
See Also: David O'Leary Remembers Leeds United's Magical 2001 Champions League Campaign
