Crucial away test for Manchester City at Ajax

Manchester City will be out to show they have learned from last season's mistakes when the Premier League titleholders travel to face Ajax on Wednesday with their Champions League ambitions hanging in the balance.

Manchester City will be out to show they have learned from last season's mistakes when the Premier League titleholders travel to face Ajax on Wednesday with their Champions League ambitions hanging in the balance.

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As tournament debutants a year ago, City had the misfortune to be drawn in the same group as experienced campaigners and eventual finalists Bayern Munich as well as a gifted Napoli.

Although Roberto Mancini's men garnered ten points - normally enough to progress from the groups - defeats on the road to both rivals ensured an early exit. This time around, lightning has struck again in that Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund pose arguably even bigger obstacles in a Group C exclusively containing champions of four top leagues.

A win in Amsterdam is vital to City's hopes as they look to chase down what is already a five-point deficit to Real and three to Dortmund.