Ten Hag: "We have to be prepared for VCF's very good players"

Ajax's Champions League squad landed in Valencia on Tuesday, and sent two representatives to the pre-match press conference to look ahead to the game. Coach Erik ten Hag was joined by Argentinian player Nicolás Tagliafico to address the media.

"I'm not worried about Valencia CF, but I have a lot of respect for our opponents. We have to be prepared for them, because they have very good players," said the coach, who indicated that "we are informed and there are times in which you have to be satisfied with a draw, but we never set out aiming for that."

"Last season's Champions League campaign is history. Mestalla also has history, and it's special to play here. We don't feat the fans, as they aren't going to be the ones on the field of play."

Tagliafico added that "They are playing at home, in front of their fans. They won their first game in the competition at a very tough ground. It's a great fixture. I think that it's going to be a very hard fought game, and one to enjoy -not just for us, but also for the fans."

"I've just been out on the pitch, and it's a very nice ground. I'm sure that it will feel much better when there are fans in their seats. It's going to be a beautiful night -one to enjoy."