Preview: Ajax v Barcelona

• Barcelona could be through and Ajax out with a repeat of matchday three win
• Ajax old boy Luis Suárez set for Barcelona European debut
• Frank de Boer asks Ajax to "make a match of it" against Barcelona
• Coach mindful that visitors are smarting from back-to-back Liga defeats• Luis Enrique defends Barcelona playing style despite those losses

Possible lineups
Ajax: Cillessen; Van Rhijn, Veltman, Moisander, Boilesen; Klaassen, Serero, Riedewald; Schöne, Sigthórsson, El Ghazi.
• Out: Fischer (hamstring)

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Piqué, Adriano/Alda; Busquets, Rakitić, Xavi; Luis Suárez, Messi, Neymar.
• Out: Iniesta (calf), Mathieu (calf), Sergio Roberto (adductor), Vermaelen (match fitness)
• Doubtful: Jordi Alba (unknown)

Frank de Boer, Ajax coach
You have to make a match of it – not like last time, where in the first half we didn't create a single good attack. If you want to create something against an opponent like Barcelona you need the ball. You have to show respect but that doesn't mean you need to be scared.

I think it will be an emotional occasion for Luis Suárez to come back and play his first Champions League match back here at the Arena.

My players shouldn't be afraid to play against Messi, Suárez or Neymar. Our defence played quite well in the last match against Barcelona and marked them well but of course you know that if they get one opportunity, they have so much quality that they can finish.

Just look at us. The average age of their team is about 28 whereas ours is about 22 and they have to learn a lot still. If Barcelona have a very good day and we have a bad one, the gap in quality will be very large.

When you lose two matches in a row, there is some pressure and people start to complain, so they want to get a result now and get into their flow again. So they will surely be motivated.

Luis Enrique, Barcelona coach
I expect Ajax to be very brave, with a lot of desire and putting on pressure like in the first match. I saw the match last year [where Ajax won 2-1 at home to Barcelona] but every year is different and there are new players. We will challenge Ajax in a different way.

I always feel pressure at this club, that's normal. It's very important to win tomorrow and qualify for the next round. The players are very calm despite the two [Liga] losses. We will put pressure on our opponents tomorrow, that's how we will play.

I don't want to change the style of Barcelona, it's my playing style and even though results are the most important thing I maintain my own playing style and will continue to work to improve my players. I feel great, we analyse everything and we show the players what went wrong and what needs to improve and that's what we're working on.

The playing style has proven to be successful here at the club and I will hold onto that.

Weekend results
Ajax 4-0 Dordrecht 90 (Schöne 21 65, Veltman 69, Andersen 75)
Barcelona 0-1 RC Celta de Vigo (Larrivey 55)

Form guide (all competitions)
Ajax: WWWLDD
Barcelona: LLWWWL

Match facts
• In what year did Luis Enrique and Frank de Boer win the Spanish title together as Barcelona players? Find out in our extensive match background.