Ajax will know nothing short of three points will do against Borussia Dortmund if they are to harbor any realistic ambitions of qualifying for the next round.
Dortmund are flying high in the group of death, topping it with eight points, while Ajax are third on four points. Real Madrid have seven points while Manchester City are bottom on two.
"This game might be all or nothing, but we just want to play our own football, like we've tried in all our games in the Champions League this year," Ajax manager Fran De Boer said. "We have done well in three matches so far, barring the one against Real Madrid.
"We are always hard to beat in our own stadium, so I am counting on that. We believe in ourselves. It's nice that we have a good record against German teams at home, and we will try to continue that streak.
"We still want to qualify. We know that it will be tough, and that it depends on how this match develops. If we get the feeling that there is a chance to push forward, we will certainly aim to do that, but if we feel we need to hold on for a draw in the last ten minutes, then we will focus on that. Our main target is the three points."
Dortmund can ensure progress with a win, but Jurgen Klopp knows the Dutch champions will pose a difficult challenge. "We are aware that it will be very tough for us," the Dortmund manager said. "In the first match against Ajax, we saw how strong their team is. We will try to respond with positive football and play our own game. We will not be playing for a draw.
"I admire Frank De Boer for the player he was, but certainly also the coach that he is. He has brought Ajax back to a higher level after a difficult period for the club. I think that both Ajax and ourselves will have to make sure that surprises are possible in this group, and that its outcome will perhaps be different than many people expected at first."
Ajax will be without Ryan Babel, but first-choice goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer is expected to be fit after he missed the weekend's game. Dortmund have no major injury worries.
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Expected lineups: Ajax: Vermeer; Van Rhijn, Veltman, Moisander, Blind; Schone, Poulsen, Eriksen; Boerrigter, De Jong, Fischer.
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Grosskreutz, Bender; Blaszczykowski, Gotze, Reus 66; Lewandowski.
Prediction: 2-1 to Dortmund
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