An under-strength Ajax will play a Real Madrid team without many of its stars in a crucial Champions League match on Wednesday, with a draw enough to secure a place in the knockout stage for the first time since 2005-06.
Madrid is already assured of winning Group D and faces Barcelona in a weekend league match, so coach Jose Mourinho will rest star attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, defenders Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, midfielders Sami Khedira and Lassana Diarra and goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Ricardo Carvalho misses the trip to Amsterdam through injury.
''Even if they don't play in their strongest formation, it's still a very good team,'' Ajax coach Frank de Boer said. ''You saw that two weeks ago when they played a so-called 'B' team and took a 3-0 lead inside nine minutes against Dinamo Zagreb.''
Lyon trails Ajax by three points and can only finish second if it wins at Dinamo Zagreb, Ajax loses and there is a seven-goal swing in goal difference.
Dinamo has yet to register a point and is playing only for pride.
Spanish leader Madrid won 3-0 at Sporting Gijon on Saturday with goals from Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo to extend its current winning streak to 14 games in all competitions. It is seeking to become only the fifth team to win all six of its group matches in Champions League history, and the first since Barcelona in 2002-03.
Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil said he believed Ajax had a good shot at finishing second in the group.
''It is difficult to know for sure. Lyon has options as well, but Ajax is a little stronger than last year,'' Oezil said. ''We are going to have difficult moments there. But we want to win every game, including in Amsterdam.''
Ajax will again play with a heavily depleted attack. Striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson is still recovering from an ankle injury, while his replacement, Siem de Jong (thigh), is also unfit. Left winger Derk Boerrigter is out with a back injury and defender Toby Alderweireld was forced out of the squad when he injured a hamstring in training Tuesday.
De Boer included forwards Miralem Sulejmani and Dmitry Bulykin in his squad despite injury worries and sounded upbeat about his team's chances.
''I'm convinced we will get at least a point against Real Madrid,'' he said. ''In that case, we don't need Zagreb's help.''
Right back Gregory van der Wiel returns from injury to provide Ajax an extra attacking option with his runs and crosses from the right flank.
''It would be a great result for the team to reach the second round,'' Van der Wiel said.
Lyon knows all it can do to keep its hopes of qualification alive is win in Zagreb and score as many goals as possible.
''A difficult match awaits us on Wednesday. We're going there to win,'' Lyon midfielder Ederson said. ''Madrid can also beat Ajax. Nothing's impossible in football and we'll give everything in that match.''
Lyon coach Remi Garde must decide whether to recall Yoann Gourcuff and striker Bafetimbi Gomis, who were both dropped to the bench for his team's 3-2 win over Toulouse on Sunday.
Gourcuff has yet to recapture the form he showed when he inspired former club Bordeaux to the league title three seasons ago, while Gomis has not scored in his last 10 games.
Croatian champion Dinamo Zagreb is depleted by injuries, including to key defenders Josip Simunic and Leandro Cufre.
''We are playing for pride and there is no pressure,'' Dinamo coach Krunoslav Jurcic said. ''We want to say goodbye to the Champions League with a positive result.''
