Enzo Maresca knows exactly what awaits his Chelsea side tonight is nothing but a fierce and stylish challenge from Ajax, one of Europe’s most historic clubs.
The Dutch giants are famed for their ‘Total Football’ legacy, a revolutionary style of play introduced in the 1970s under the great Johan Cruyff. That era saw Ajax lift three consecutive European Cups and redefine how the game was played.
Today, that philosophy still runs deep in Amsterdam. The club’s stadium even bears Cruyff’s name as a symbol of his everlasting influence on Ajax’s footballing DNA.
But tonight, the stage shifts to Stamford Bridge, where Maresca’s men are determined to make their mark in the Champions League.
“They are a team that always tries to play in the DNA of the club so for sure it will be a tough game,” Maresca said.
“In the past and in the present, they try to play their kind of football. Also, they are a club that has won this competition in the past, so they want to prove to everyone they are coming here to do their best to beat us – and we are going to try and do exactly the same.”
The London giants enter the clash with one win and one loss from their opening two group fixtures. Despite mixed results, Maresca believes his team is building strong momentum and growing with every game.
He added: “It’s a nice competition because you play against fantastic clubs.
“In the first game, Bayern Munich away, we were not happy with the result, but we tried to play face to face for 90 minutes against a club that in the last six or seven years always reached the quarter-finals, semi-finals, final.
“Benfica we tried to prepare in the best way to win, which we did. When you play these kinds of clubs – Bayern, Benfica, Ajax – there are always things you can learn after the game. It’s going to be exactly the same after the final whistle against Ajax.”
With a deep respect for Ajax’s tradition and a firm belief in his players’ progress, Maresca looks set for another defining night under the lights at the Bridge.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
