Five matches in Amsterdam

The history between Juventus and Ajax is set to continue when they meet on Wednesday evening at Johan Cruyff Arena for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final fixture, kick-off at 21h00. These two football giants have a long and historic shared past, with the Bianconeri having the upper hand on Dutch soil.

Here are five matches the two teams have played against each other in Amsterdam:

1974/75 Ajax 2-1 Juventus (Last 16, UEFA Cup)

This was the first two-legged affair to take place between the two sides (the only previous encounter saw Ajax triumph in the 1973 European Cup final), and it was a tightly contested outing between the two teams, just like the first leg that ended 1-0 in favour of the Old Lady. Ajax snatched the victory in stoppage time courtesy of Muhren, but it wasn’t enough to see them progress as Damiani’s (who scored in the first leg too) penalty meant that the Italians would win the round.

1977/78 Ajax 1-1 Juventus (Quarter Finals, European Cup)

The game looked destined to end goalless until an 89th minute goal from van Dord put the hosts in front. The victory almost seemed destined to be painted red, but a 90th minute goal by Causio ensured that it was all to play for in second leg. Juventus progressed through to the next round of the European Cup by claiming a 4-1 victory via penalties.

1996/97 Ajax 1-2 Juventus (Semi-finals, Champions League)

This would be the start of three consecutive victories on Dutch soil for Juventus. Just less than a year after defeating the Lancieri in the final of the 1996 Champions League, the two teams met up again, this time, in the semi-finals. Amoruso and Vieri were both on the scoresheet as they put goals past future Bianconero goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. The Italians went on to claim an emphatic 4-1 victory in the second leg to qualify for the final.

2004/05 Ajax 0-1 Juventus (Group Stage, Champions League)

As per the previous meetings, there was little that divided the two teams in Amsterdam. Nedved scored the only goal of the game, as future Juventus player Grygera was on the opposite side of the field. Juventus recorded the same result in the return leg in Turin, with Marcelo Zalayeta scoring the only goal of the game.

2009/10 Ajax 1-2 Juventus (Last 32, Europa League)

The final and most recent outing in the Dutch city saw Sulejmani open the scoring in the 16th minute of the Last 32 match in the Europa League. Their lead was short lived though, as Amauri responded back with a brace in the 32nd and 58th minute to claim a crucial and decisive away victory, as the return leg in Turin would remain goalless between the two sides.

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