Ajax form a worry ahead of Real Madrid date

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Ajax Amsterdam Press Conference - Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands - September 18, 2018 Ajax Amsterdam's Matthijs de Ligt during the press conference REUTERS/Toussaint Kluiters/File Photo

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam's promising young cast rekindled memories of past glories by reaching the Champions League last 16 but Saturday's league defeat has underlined their recent poor form and set the alarm bells ringing with the upcoming visit of Real Madrid.

The 1-0 loss at Heracles Almelo was only the second time Ajax had been beaten by the provincial team but was marked by players arguing with each other in a defeat teenage captain Matthijs de Ligt termed “scandalous”.