Ziyech is reporting for training tomorrow. Dolberg, Schöne and Tagliafico are expected later in the week. Tadic has some extra time off. Sinkgraven has returned to full training but may not be fit for the CL qualifier against Sturm Graz at the end of the month. van de Beek and both de Jongs are making progress on their fitness. In transfer news, either Lisandro Magallan (Argentine defender from Boca Juniors and a long time Ajax target) or Daley Bling may be added to the squad. ten Hag prefers Blind.
I don't suppose there have been any major updates on Cerny's recovery prognosis? I remember hearing about his injury, but haven't really been any updates in the Czech press about it since.
I think Blind is a useful player to have, but the amounts paid don't seem in relation to the need. I don't trust the deal, it smells like old boys networks.
I can't believe the amount payed by Ajax for him. ManUnited should pay Ajax for cutting a few years of salary due while they donot use him that much and in the cases they do it would be fine to give a youth player minutes.
Daddy must have pulled some strings from back door. It will be disppointing to see Bakker deprived of game time just because Blind can both LB and LCB. I just hope this move is again not about to resurrect his fading career and weakness which has been his main stay in NT. Its time NT focus on players who are overall balanced. This was also a feature in NT when danny Blind was coaching NT. " old boy network"
. Well if he keeps getting game time.well and good. The suprise part for me is he is still 18 and he could well follow the footsteps of De ligt if given more chances to prove himself. A good example is to that of Dylan Vente at feyenoord. If not he should straight away start looking for new club before Before Ajax put in hafty price tag on him ad well.
They have been quite poor in pre-season friendlies. However, a number of key players are still coming back from holiday after the WC. Ziyech is still with the team and I have not seen any rumors about who might want him.
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleagu ... 143/squad/ Ajax have posted their list of players for the CL. It's interesting that de Ligt, van de Beek and Mazraoui are not on this 'A' List. Clubs can have an unlimited number on the 'B' List and need only be registered the day prior to the match. According to UEFA "...A player may be registered on List B if he is born on, or after, 1 January 1997 and has been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years since his 15th birthday (players aged 16 may be registered if they have been registered with the club for the previous two years). Clubs are entitled to register an unlimited number of players on List B during the season, but the list must be submitted by no later than 24:00CET the day before a match." It's not a big deal that the three players mentioned are not on the list. Similarly, Serhuis or some other Jong Ajax players can be added as long as they meed the criteria.
If Ajax get past Sturm Graz they will face Standard Liege in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. This year the management will have no excuse for failure.
That's a fortunate break for Ajax and you are right about no excuse for failure!!! Unfortunately, their play in pre-season friendlies has not been inspiring.
I watched most of the match against Wolves and I was horrified. Granted, it was a preseason match, players might have been saving themselves for the match today, etc etc - but the overall level of play was atrocious and has me rather pessimistic about Sturm Graz (forget Liege). And even if they make it to the group stage, they're going to be completely out of their depth. I hope I'm totally off base!
Maybe some Ajax fans in here can shed some light on something for me. I just cannot seem to understand why a player like Frenkie keeps getting deployed at CB. Surely he cannot be happy with this role, and the explanation of a “temporary solution” has certainly expired by now. I assume everyone agrees that midfield is where his talents can be exploited to the max. It’s why big clubs like Barcelona are after him. To develop further he needs to play in his natural position, no? Oh well, if he doesn’t voice his dissatisfaction I assume he’s fine with being a CB. Maybe he has an understanding with the coach, who knows. The Netherlands have enough defensive talents as it is, midfield is where we are severely lacking. Frenkie might be the biggest talent in midfield for the Netherlands atm and it’s just a shame he’s not deployed there more often.
Only streams are available. there is a good AceStream from Austrian television. this is the best website for streams: http://livetv.sx/enx/eventinfo/683361_ajax_sturm_graz/
Decent enough first half. Sturm are really packing things tight with a 5-4-1 formation. Ajax are having a good passing game and getting the ball in but several off sides calls negated some decent opportunities. It looks like that Ajax are playing a deep double pivot with de Jong and Schöne which helps conserve energy for Schöne. Ziyech looks like he has freedom to roam around the pitch. We really need a couple of goals in the second half to secure the tie and a clean sheet is obviously necessary.
What the hell happened to Huntelaar? He used to be so clinical. Missed so many chances today. Can’t be happy with his performance tonight. Sierhuis will be hoping for minutes in A1 if Huntelaar doesn’t pick up his form. Aside from that, Ajax looks great. Tadic looks a great signing for them. Also, I really liked what I saw from Eiting, he’s so good on the ball and has a great eye for a pass. Ajax would do good to hold on to Ziyech, he was everywhere today. I still wish De Jong would be more prominent in midfield.
In the end a somewhat easy 2-0 win to open the campaign. It will be interesting to see the 11tegen11 expected goals for Ajax as they clearly had multiple opportunities to add to their total. Both Blind and Tadic saw action as 2nd half substitutes and Tadic whipped in some really good crosses. It remains to be seen whether de Jong stays on the back line or moves up to the MF. Today there was a lot of double pivot with Schöne in the first half and not so much in the second when Sturm had to come out and press more. Player Ratiings: Onana(6) - an uncertain punch in the first half but really had little to do and the few chances Sturm had were missed wide of the mark Tagliafico (7) - quietly good game with two key interventions to stop shots on goal de Jong (7) - yes, we all know he is wasted at center defense de Ligt (7) - forced to stay back when de Jong moved up and did well in his job Mazraoui (6.5) - decent enough on the night Schöne (6.5) - half point off for the weak PK but alert enough to put it back in, looks like he's going to play deeper and do less roaming around Eiting (6) - really didn't see much of the ball at all as Schöne and de Jong did most of the passing van de Beek (5.5) - always a hard worker but tonight was off sides too often and missed a couple of passes he should have dealt with Neres (7) - good contained game and I was surprised at the complaints on the penalty; you push a man down in the box who has the ball be prepared for the consequences Huntelaar (5.5) - great hold up play but poor finishing on the chances he had Ziyech (7.5) - good match and maybe he stays another season with the club which would be good Tadic (6.5) - solid performance coming on in the second half but looked a little winded in the end Blind (6) - on late for Eiting and was fine Serhuis (NR) - on late for Huntelaar Let's hope the return match is played under more reasonable weather and that Ajax can lock up the tie and move on to the next round.
Nice win. Important they didnt concede that dreaded away goal. They HAVE to make the CL now, no more excuses like Rinus said