3-0 now. Two convincing wins. So we play one more team and we make the CL, right?? The wiki page is incredibly confusing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–...e_qualifying_phase_and_play-off_round#Q2_L1.1
Except for what could have been a costly mistake in his own box, Eiting put in a superb display again. Exciting development for both Ajax and the Dutch NT. If I were the coach, I would not be totally satisfied with today’s display. Ajax is SO wasteful it will cost them at some point. Shooting when passing was the better option and passing when shooting is the better option. As mentioned before, this game should have been put to bed long before it was. Huntelaar, despite scoring two goals still isn’t as clinical as he used to be in front of goal. Edit: What a sloppy goal to concede, total novice mistake by Onana. Simply cannot be making those mistakes at this level anymore. Lucky for him, Ajax has a very nice cushion and it was not a fatal mistake.
The lone blight on a really nice match was the own goal by Onana at the end of regular time. I have seen passing like this is a long time and it's setting the stage for what might be a very special season. Solid marks all around. Player Ratings Onana (6.5) - three really good saves and then the own goal on what was a tough ball from de Ligt who was under pressure Tagliafico (6.5) - silly Yellow Card but otherwise solid de Jong (7) - got some time in the MF down the stretch and he is so smooth on the ball de Ligt (7) - really had not much to do at all Mazraoui (7.5) - outstanding game, constantly going down the flank and causing problems; rocket cross that Tadic put away Schöne (7) - decent enough as the deep lying MF Eiting (7) - some really good ball handling today Ziyech (6.5) - some wild shooting and disappointing passing keep him under a 7 Neres (7) - great pass to Huntelaar for the opening goal Huntelaar (7.5) - worked hard all match but tired near the end, might have had a hat trick were it not for a good save from the keeper Tadic (7) - this could be the player Ajax needed to complete the puzzle Blind (7) - came in at LB and moved to the center when Wöber came in; had a good run out van de Beek (6.5) - narrowly missed a couple of scoring chances Wöber (6.5) - on late at LB but that pass to spring Huntelaar was a thing of beauty On to a match up with Standard Liege and if Ajax maintain this intensity they should do alright.
Eiting can/will have a breakout year this season. Neat and tidy player... passes the ball smartly, has solid technique, and is quite good in combination plays. He's not super imposing and athletic, physically-speaking... that might be the key of his development. If he gain some muscles and get "meaner", he will be a household name soon.
Correct.... but, at least Ajax are now guaranteed European football this season. If they lose to Standard Liege in the next round of the Champions League they drop into the Europa League group stages.
Dutch commentator said it was Eiting. It happened in the 2nd half, a Graz player easily worked him off the ball, passed it to the striker who hit it right at Onana. Player ratings: https://www.voetbalzone.nl/wedstrijd.asp?uid=2799649
Ziyech got the number 10 shirt taken away from him. Will he be gone soon? PL window is edging closer or is there interest from other leagues?
There have been no reliable rumors about his transfer. I suspect this is a result of a somewhat disappointing WC performance. Roma are said to be offereing €40M for Neres but Overmars has said only Ziyech will be the one sold this summer. I guess they want to spend all their projected CL money this pre-season. Let's hope that he keeps to that vow.
Wow, €40M seems a lot. I wouldn't call Neres "unproven" - but he's only been at Ajax 1 for about one and a half season, so it's not like he has a long history of banging goals left and right. Plus Roma just signed Kluivert, presumably he covers some needs in Roma's attacking area. Read that Ajax wants €50M.
It was a stupid scheduling error and I don't know why since Ajax knew they would be in the middle of CL qualifying. No starters played in the match and Blind came off early with some kind of back injury. I would not make much of this result.
Friendlies do not count for Helmond Cup competition. That being said, it's entirely possible that with the upcoming CL qualifiers that the Cup can leave Holland.
Ajax XI v Standard Liege: Onana, Mazraoui, Tagliafico, De Ligt, Blind, F De Jong, Schone, Tadic, Ziyech, Neres, Huntelaar. Good news is that FDJ moves to midfield. The not-so-good news is that Donny vd Beek is on the bench (losing out to Schone, really...? )
0-2 at the half though the match his been very even so far. Some shaky defending by Ajax wasn't punished. Water break at 25 minutes because of the high heat.
On a hot night in Liege, Ajax disappointed once again in European qualifying giving up a two goal advantage and escaping with a 2-2 draw. Truth be told, Ajax were outplayed and fortunate that Standard players were taking lots of shots that never were on frame. Onana made only one real save that I counted. Both Ajax fullbacks were poor on the night. Tagliafico picked up a Yellow card and is suspended for the return match. Mazraoui conceded a penalty in added time though it looked like the slightest of heel clips. I don't understand ten Hag's substitutions, bringing on Labyad early rather than van de Beek and leaving Schöne on the pitch so long. Ajax had several chances in the 2nd half to get the third away goal but it wasn't to be. More troubling was how careless Ajax was with the ball in the waning stages of the game. Possession is paramount and they missed that lesson in school. Player Ratings: Onana (6.5) - hardly had anything to do Tagliafico (4.5) - had trouble defending and got a careless Yellow Card Blind (6.5) - decent enough for the fully match de Ligt (7) - really strong play in the second half after an almost costly error in the first Mazraoui (4.5) - found wanting in the final 20 minutes as he was beaten several times and finally conceding a penalty Schöne (5) - one really poor pass in the 2nd half that should have been punished de Jong (6) - OK but really didn't put a stamp on the game Ziyech (6) - should have handled the 2 on 1 break away better and one wonders how much longer he will be on the team Neres (6) - good pass to Tadic for goal 2 but that was it; he seems stranded on the left after playing all last season on the right side Huntelaar (7) - yeoman's performance and looked pretty fresh into added time Tadic (7) - probably the best Ajax player on the pitch Labyad (5) - one wild shot from distance and that was it Eiting (4.5) - some dicey defending van de Beek (5) - should have been on much earlier All the top teams in action tonight drew with their opponents. Ajax have two valuable away goals but Standard look capable of scoring in the return match. Flip a coin and pick a team that's what it looks like for next week.
Pretty accurate summary and player ratings IMHO. Both full backs were beyond terrible, they were caught off guard too often and struggled to backpedal. I also think both Schone and F De Jong shared the blame, they gave away too much space allowing their opponents to spread the ball wide. And Ziyech is pretty much hopeless when it comes to defending. My only positive note from the match is how smooth Frenkie is. Able to pick up the ball from his backline, turn his body, and distribute with ease. Very calm as well in bringing the ball forward. Reminds me a little bit of Pirlo in this regard. I believe the defensive work is going to be his make-or-break if he aspires to become the best in the world. Improved marking and tackling are needed. Overall, FDJ and De Ligt in is a nice vertical combo in the center, both seem to be in the same wavelength... pretty encouraging. With extra attention in the defensive end, I think Ajax should be able to muscle through. I am predicting a comfortable 2-0 win next week.
I think it also point out that he really is not ready for Barcelona. Ideally, he will stay with Ajax two more seasons after this and really become a solid player. While I suspect he wants to be more of an attacking MF, his best position is as a deep lying play maker the way Pirlo was. He has great field vision. I don't know what happens if/when Ziyech leaves and Schöne needs more rest. Eiting was not convincing when he came on late and Labyad was a waste of money. I'm still not convinced by ten Hag's decisions.