Frenkie de Jong said Barcelona asked the Dutch midfielder to eliminate Real Madrid from Europe when they signed him this winter.

"Barcelona asked me to eliminate Real Madrid when they signed me," said De Jong in a recent interview.

De Jong added that Ajax could still surprise the current European champions despite being down 2-1 heading into the second leg.

"We have to play offensively, to push and to play our football. If everyone participates then we have the quality to spring a surprise in Madrid. If we eliminate Real Madrid we will put the name of Ajax back on the map."