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    Ten Hag and Stekelenburg optimistic about chances


    Ajax coach Erik ten Hag still believes his side have a great chance of reaching the semi-finals of this season's Europa League.

    Ten Hag's side come to the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday (kick-off: 21:00 CEST) looking to overcome a 2-1 first leg deficit - meaning they need to score at least twice to have any hope of progressing.

    "The squad is in good shape and is improving," ten Hag said.

    "We've learned from the first leg, even if the result didn't go our way, we played well. We are optimistic."

    He added: "We need to make sure we don't allow Roma to have too many chances, like we did in the first game. They are good on the counter-attack and we are well aware of that. We will go into the match to give it the best we've got."

    Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenberg is one player available to the coach after missing the first leg. The former Dutch No. 1 endured a difficult two year spell with the Giallorossi between 2011 and 2013.

    "If I didn't produce my best here then that is down to me," he said.

    "But I enjoyed my time here, even if it was difficult at times. It was a learning experience. I wouldn't change anything about the experience."