what on earth was that ball from tadic lol. talk about doing all the hard work and then making a meal out of hte relatively easier part
ajax looked so good last year because they had a center back and a central midfielder who were incredible at breaking lines with incisive passes. good way to make attackers look better than they really are
Runs both ways have been the biggest strength. They've come from hustle and headiness. Hasn't been deficient in any areas. Worth noting he's been cool in possession. Did have the one bad moment where he whiffed on a volley that constituted a decent scoring chance. Would expect better from him or in general in that situation.
Legal drinking (and other mind-altering substance) age in the Netherlands is 16/18, not that he couldn't gain access to it anyway if he wanted.
Dest made a great run at about the 35 minute mark and Ziyech really should have slotted the ball through to him. He's having a good match so far and really has had little defending to do.
It's part of defense to make a recovery run and shield the opponent from the ball or just slow down the attack. He's done that a lot, as well as steer the play inside to his help.
I thought Alvarez was having a rough game, but he got a goal. Good for him, I guess. I don’t care much either way. I think we can put to bed concerns that Alvarez might ever be chosen as a wide defender over Dest. It’s not impossible he would be making his case to take the shirt by mid-season.
He can play both at the same time, depending on where the other attackers are. It would be a waste to have him sit back in a 6-ish position. He needs to be around the box given his skill, crossing ability and creativity.
dest with a rare poor first touch when he had some space and was forced to play a conservative square ball instead of attacking as a result
zip it, man! (ive made that point quite a few times, but its more important we let that janky ass gimmick die)
I guess it’s being coached this way, but Dest hasn’t gotten forward for quite a while. This does not meet my selfish needs.
Dest gets secret screen time ... drawing a yellow on a dangerous late tackle and getting hurt time. Up and walking around, so hopefully close to 100%.
Dest started the possession with a couple deft pass and move plays in traffic to keep the ball and advance the attack, before the long switch by Huntelaar, then take on and finish by Tadic. 2-0 Ajax and they're through.
Dest is near Pulisic level at beating a man when he wants. He may be better than CP technically. He’s definitely a more creative passer.