FC Bayern and Ajax cross swords for the ninth time on Tuesday evening, and home strength has always been a crucial factor in their clashes so far. The home side won six of the eight previous encounters, three victories for each side, with two games ending in a draw. The away team have yet to win in the encounter. fcbayern.com has delved into the facts and stats prior to the match.
No home defeat against Dutch teams
FC Bayern have a strong home record, and not only against Ajax. The German record champions have never lost a home match against a Dutch side. Bayern have won all of the four previous encounters, most recently a 4-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in last season's Champions League group stage. Ajax are the last Eredivisie side that did not leave the pitch in Munich beaten. The club, coached by Louis van Gaal back then, held Bayern to a goalless draw at Munich's Olympic Stadium in the 1994/95 semi-finals.
Home debut for Niko Kovac
Niko Kovac got off to a successful start to the Champions League, Bayern beating Benfica 2-0. Tuesday's match will be the first Champions League home match for the 46-year-old. His predecessors' records are positive. The three last Bayern coaches won their CL home debut in the FCB dugout, keeping a clean sheet. Carlo Ancelotti oversaw the 5-0 victory over FC Rostov, Pep Guardiola coaching Bayern when they downed CSKA Moscow 3-0, with Jupp Heynckes in charge in the 2-0 victory over Manchester City. One FCB coach enjoyed a successful home debut against Ajax. Felix Magath coached Bayern when they beat the Dutch record champions 4-0 in September 2004, today's FCB sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic wearing Bayern colours back then.
Robben's first goal as a pro
The encounter with his compatriots will be special for Arjen Robben. The forward has fond memories of Ajax. Robben scored his first goal as a pro in FC Groningen's 3-3 draw with Ajax on 11 March 2001, at the tender age of 17. We all know Robben has scored a couple more goals in his career, and maybe he will add to his tally on Tuesday, 2,750 days after his first goal.
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