UEFA Champions League 2018-19: 5 reasons why Ajax could still win their tie at Santiago Bernabeu

#2 Ajax just needs a gentle tweak in attack from the previous game

Ajax created plenty of opportunities to score and win the first leg. They just need a gentle tweak to improve their winning chances.

What does Ajax have to do to go through? Win the game by scoring at least two goals. Can Ajax do that though? We have talked about how Ajax is a ferocious team while pressing, we have talked about how they were unlucky to lose the first game, but can they score two goals?

It isn't a big deal though. Goalscoring is the least of Ajax's concerns. They created 19 shots at goal and also got 7 of them on target. In those 19 chances, some were too good to be missed. In fact, Ajax would be ruing their missed opportunities.

If Tadic was a tad behind the line, maybe Tagliafico's header would have been given as a goal. Before that goal also, Ajax was pushing Madrid further back. Attacking in the standard 2-2-6 formation, de Jong and Schone didn't have to do much to find out their teammates in wide positions or make vertical passes.

The final ball lacked quality sometimes. At other times, it was the lack of ruthless finishing. Ziyech missed a 1v1 in the 35th minute. Kasper Dolberg missed two good chances after coming on which Huntelaar could have converted. There was nothing much wrong about Ajax other than this. They were positive throughout the game and played their heart out.

If they play the same quality of football, the same pressing game, only with improved play in the final third and in front of goal, they are in with more than just a chance to progress.