Ajax 'one of the best teams', but Benfica's Verissimo sees 'weaknesses'
-
UK sets record for number of days over 34C
-
Ex-Puma Urdapilleta shuns retirement to play on at 40
-
Haaland relishing 'special' World Cup showdown with England
-
Keep me away from the pool, Kipyegon tells triathlete Beaugrand
-
FIFA lashes 'unfounded allegations' after Argentina-Egypt clash
-
Nerves high in Kyiv as Russia escalates missile attacks
-
'Only revenge': Iran mourners defiant at Khamenei burial
-
Stars pay tribute to 'Total Eclipse' singer Bonnie Tyler, who has died at 75
-
Pogacar reclaims Tour de France yellow jersey with stage six win
-
'I'm ready to roll' - hungry Duplantis still motivated
-
US existing home sales dip in June as cost worries persist
-
Muchova beats Gauff in thriller to reach first Wimbledon final
-
Russia subjecting 1.6 million Ukrainian children to military brainwashing: OSCE report
-
One revolver, six bullets: Turkish president's 'unusual' gift to NATO leaders
-
Strengthening El Nino likely to 'rank among largest' on record: US agency
-
Kicking off: New York football enthusiasts defy pitch shortage
-
Jorge Jesus to take over as Portugal coach after World Cup exit
-
Fendi shows haute couture in Rome with nod to Lagerfeld
-
Ebola outbreak is 'fastest growing ever' as 600 die
-
Olympic sprint champs Alfred, Thomas bid for work-life balance
-
Stocks shrug off tensions to rise on renewed tech interest
-
How NATO leaders reacted to Erdogan's revolver gift
-
Hong Kong welcomes dogs into restaurants, to pet owners' delight
-
Union warns of 'conflict' as Volkswagen eyes mass job cuts
-
England recall Slade for Fiji as pressure mounts on Borthwick
-
Chemical weapons watchdog reinstates Syria
-
Lock Petti to become latest Argentina centurion in Nations Championship Test
-
Cocoa lynchpin sees chocolate lovers make hesitant return
-
EU parliament greenlights digital euro
-
French yachtswoman set to break new barriers in Route du Rhum
-
Two thirds of EU faced harmful ozone levels during heatwave: report
-
Markets steady tracking US-Iran flare-up
-
Russia to take on World Athletics at CAS over ban
-
Italy expels two Russian diplomats accused of spying: minister
-
600 dead in DR Congo Ebola outbreak
-
German exports rise despite Iran war headwinds
-
'Total Eclipse' singer Bonnie Tyler, queen of the 80s power ballad, dies at 75
-
Thousands attend funeral for Afghan cricketer Shapoor Zadran
-
Myanmar names Norwegian Andersen as head of national team
-
Crude pares steep gains as traders take stock after US-Iran flare-up
-
Russell back as Scotland tackle world champions South Africa
-
Cleanup underway as death toll from China floods hits 39
-
Tour de France yellow jersey protocol: 90 minutes of 'stress'
-
Italy recall Allan, Lynagh for All Blacks Nations Championship Test
-
Crude stabilises after US-Iran flare-up rocked peace hopes
-
Rookie fly-half Meredith thrown in for Wallabies debut against France
-
Playmaker Jalibert moves to fullback as France swing axe for Australia clash
-
Taiwan warns of 'destructive' winds as typhoon nears
-
Australian sprint star Gout out of U20 worlds with hamstring tear
-
Farrell rings changes for Ireland's Japan clash
NYSE - LSE
Ajax 'one of the best teams', but Benfica's Verissimo sees 'weaknesses'
Benfica interim coach Nelson Verissimo said on Tuesday that he believes Ajax are "one of the best teams in Europe" ahead of the two sides' Champions League last-16 first leg in Lisbon.
The Portuguese giants welcome the Dutch champions to the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday, looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2016.
But Ajax won all six of their group games and only Bayern Munich had scored more goals in this season's competition heading into the knockout stages.
"We are going to face an opponent with a lot of quality," said Verissimo, who took over at Benfica until the end of the season when Jorge Jesus was sacked in December.
"Ajax are currently one of the best teams in Europe. They have strengths, but also weaknesses that we'll want to exploit.
"We know it will be difficult, but we are motivated. We have to keep possession, and also defend without the ball. Honestly, I think it's 50/50."
Benfica qualified from their group at the expense of Barcelona but have struggled since Jesus' dismissal, losing the Portuguese League Cup final to Sporting Lisbon and slipping 12 points behind league leaders Porto.
But veteran defender Jan Vertonghen believes playing in the Champions League again will be a breath of fresh air for his team.
The 34-year-old started his career at Ajax, making 220 appearances for the Amsterdam side from 2006-2012, and will be making his first appearance in the Champions League knockout stages since losing the 2019 final to Liverpool with Tottenham.
"Every weekend I watch their (Ajax's) games," said Belgian Vertonghen.
"We analysed Ajax and we know their team very well. Coach (Verissimo) has a lot of confidence in his team.
"Our last match didn't go so well (2-2 draw at Boavista), but we've played great games in the Champions League and I'm confident that Benfica will have a great game tomorrow."
Benfica and Ajax have won six European Cups between them, although the Portuguese club's last title came in 1962.
S.F.Warren--AMWN