Fenerbahce vs Ajax Amsterdam - Fenerbahce coach Vitor Pereira calls for consistency

Posted Thursday, October 22, 2015 by PA

Fenerbahce coach Vitor Pereira is hoping his side can show some consistency when they take on Ajax in their Europa League clash at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday night.

Last year's Super Lig runners-up returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kayserispor on Sunday and are looking to move off the bottom of the Group A standings with a result against Frank de Boer's 33-time Eredivisie winners as both sides search for their first win.

So far this season, Fenerbahce have collected just one point from their opening two group games - that coming from a 2-2 draw at Celtic last time out - which leaves them bottom of the pile.

Holland striker Robin van Persie, who scored the winning goal against Kayserispor last weekend, is likely to make his 11th appearance for the club he joined from Manchester United over the summer.

And Pereira is hoping his Turkish giants can begin to show some consistency as he told uefa.com: "It's like we are two distinct teams.

"One is enthusiastic, ambitious and plays entertaining football, creating lots of chances and keeping pressure on opponents; the other is nervous, loses composure after conceding and throws in the towel under pressure."

The Dutch side sit one point better off in third after claiming a draw against both group leaders Molde earlier this month and the Scottish champions mid-September.

Last year's Eredivisie runners-up have lost just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions this term and head to Turkey on the back of a 2-0 league victory over Heracles.

De Boer is confident his side can come away with a result following Saturday's league win and he told the official Ajax website: "If we play with the same spirit on Thursday, we have a chance against Fenerbahce.

"We always have a chance."

Poland striker Arek Milik has been ruled out of the Europa League clash with an abdominal injury, while De Boer is also going to be without midfielder Thulani Serero (thigh) and on-loan Arsenal forward Yaya Sanogo (groin).

Jasper Cillessen, who was absent for Saturday's game against Heracles, is completely fit again and returns to the squad travelling to Fenerbahce.