Nerazzurri Head to Ajax | UECL League Phase MD2

Almost six years on, Ajax and Atalanta are set to cross paths once again on the European stage. Thursday 22 October's clash at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, kicking off at 21:00 CEST, will mark the third meeting between the Dutch side and the Nerazzurri, following their two encounters in the group stage of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League. Back then, the sides played out a 2-2 draw in Bergamo on 27 October 2020, with Duván Zapata bagging a brace, before Atalanta claimed a 1-0 victory in Amsterdam on 9 December 2020 thanks to a decisive strike from Luis Muriel.

One of the most decorated clubs in world football, Ajax boast an illustrious trophy cabinet featuring four European Cups/Champions League titles, one UEFA Cup, one European Cup Winners' Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups, alongside 36 Dutch league titles. The Amsterdam outfit secured their place in this season's UEFA Conference League League Phase after navigating three qualifying rounds. They first eliminated Serbian side Vojvodina with two 4-1 victories in the second qualifying round, before overcoming Ireland's Shelbourne with a 3-1 home win and a 2-2 away draw in the third round. In the play-offs, they completed the job with two wins over Swiss side Sion, prevailing 4-2 and 5-3.

Ajax, who have been managed by Spanish Head Coach Míchel since the start of this season, currently sit fourth in the Eredivisie standings with 18 points from nine matches after imposing themselves 5-2 away at Groningen on Sunday. In the UEFA Conference League, the Dutch side are coming off a 2-1 away defeat to Hajduk Split on Matchday 1 of the League Phase.