AJAX’S FORM CONCERN

Ajax Amsterdam's promising start in Champions League seems to be losing steam in the light of poor form at home. Their defeat to Heracles Almelo on Saturday has set the alarm bells ringing.

Since returning from the winter break, Ajax have won only twice in five outings, and slipped six points off the pace in the Dutch championship.

Saturday’s defeat was marked by players arguing with each other in a manner that teenage captain Matthijs de Ligt termed "scandalous".