Former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder has claimed that Real Madrid will find it difficult to overcome Ajax when the two teams meet in the last-16 stage of the Champions League.
Sneijder, who currently plays for Qatar side Al Gharafa, turned out for Ajax between 2002 and 2007, before spending two seasons with Madrid.
Los Blancos have won the Champions League in each of the last three seasons, but Sneijder has said that the Spanish giants will be in for a tough two-legged tie against Ajax next year.
"For Ajax, this is the best moment to take on Real Madrid," Sneijder told Marca. "I don't see Real Madrid as being as strong as in previous years. That's obvious.
"Ajax are a very young team, but nobody should be mistaken about them as they have a lot of quality and play very well, especially at home in Amsterdam. It'll be a difficult tie for Real Madrid."
Real will travel to Amsterdam for the first leg of their last-16 tie on February 13, before welcoming the Dutch giants in the return match on March 5.
Matt Law
