THE MODERATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!! though I'm not going to delete any of the posts but let's make sure stuff goes on the correct thread. We have enough Feyenoord news on this one to last me a lifetime.
I agree there is a tactical problem but it's not only midfield. I don't understand why Eredivisie teams and Ajax in particular are so hung up on attacking fullbacks. It's a tactic employed to keep with when a team plays with two central attackers or a striker and inverted wingers. In past backs defended and this freed up CBs to move in to midfield. I think it is in part the reason for all this U-shape nonsense.
^^^IIRC both Vertonghen and Alderwiereld moved into the attacking zone with regularity. We still see this happening with Viergever on occasion but not Sanchez. I don't remember as much U-Turn football during de Boer's first two seasons as trainer.
Orange14 will probably give everyone a 6, but I give all players an 8 and some even a 9. Total dominance by Ajax today. Couldve easily been 5 or 6-0 Well done lads!!! If Ajax play as well against their next opponent they might just make the semi's or final. Onward to the quarterfinals now, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I doubt Ziyech will get anything but 2 in anyone's book, his usefulness was close to zero. Traore was a notch above him for not missing the goal. The others played good football. My MoM is Younes. Tete too had a good game, both defensively and offensively. First 1/4 final in Europe in a decade IIRC.
Some fine second half football but oh my goodness, what woeful finishing. By all rights Ajax should have had 3-4 more goals and not made us bite fingernails waiting for the final whistle to blow. On to the next round and it looks like only ManU stands in the way of Ajax winning the Europa League (a supporter always has hope!!!). Defense was OK, though Sanchez had some very dicey moments which is unusual. Tete again showed that Overmars made a colossal error in not extending his contract last season and Bosz made a bigger error by continuing to sit him in favor of Veltman who is just not a RB. Some really silly fouls committed and Schöne is out for the next match. Player Ratings: Onana (6.5) - had to do a lot of kicking as Ajax could not deal well with the pressing in the first half Viergever (8) - best game of all the players on the pitch; defended well and made some great runs de Ligt (7) - solid game and never got caught close to the goal by the stronger Copenhagen forwards Sanchez (6) - really had some bad positional play at times Veltman (5) - strained a muscle on a challenge and came off early on Schöne (6) - OK match but he doesn't shield the ball as well as is needed for a holding MF van de Beek (6) - more than decent subbing for el Capitan who was watching with his girlfriend from the stands Ziyech (5) - I'm in a charitable mood today with this rating; he had a couple of good passes amidst shots from distance that were not troubling at all Younes (7) - played better today and didn't get trapped by the defense Dolberg (7.5) - a bit unlucky not to have had a hat trick; PK was stone cold perfect Traore (7) - pretty solid and played off of Tete very well, good awareness to charge the goal to get the match winner Tete (7) - really strong going forward and put some decent crosses in as well as providing an outlet for passing; to bad he is moving on de Jong (6) - silky smooth player who should get more playing time Kluivert (6) - lots of speed for a tiring Copenhagen back-line The draw for the next round is tomorrow. Roma crashed out to Lyon today and other than ManU not a lot of teams much better than Ajax left.
Genk, Anderlecht and Vigo would be the best draws. Schalke looks beatable this year Lyon and Besiktas would be difficult but possible. Manchester would be very hard to beat with so many youngsters in the dutch side.
You're only giving most guys 7's because of my earlier post. Here are my marks in red crayons: Player Ratings: Onana (7) - had to do a lot of kicking as Ajax could not deal well with the pressing in the first half Viergever (8.5) - best game of all the players on the pitch; defended well and made some great runs de Ligt (9) - solid game and never got caught close to the goal by the stronger Copenhagen forwards Sanchez (7) - really had some bad positional play at times Veltman (NR) - you cant rate a player after an early injury FFS Schöne (4) - I thought he was the worst of all Ajax players van de Beek (7) - more than decent subbing for el Capitan who was watching with his girlfriend from the stands Ziyech (7) - His finishing was horrible, but his attacks were brilliant!! Younes (6) - played better today and didn't get trapped by the defense Dolberg (8) - a bit unlucky not to have had a hat trick; PK was stone cold perfect Traore (8) - pretty solid and played off of Tete very well, good awareness to charge the goal to get the match winner Tete (7) - really strong going forward and put some decent crosses in as well as providing an outlet for passing; to bad he is moving on de Jong (NR) - Can't rate. Not enough playing time Kluivert (NR) - Can't rate. Not enough playing time
Can somebody please tell me why Schone gets to keep the Captain's armband, after yet another woeful game tonight?? Jeebus!!
Remember Cruijff's famous saying: An elftal van 6'jes kunnen een elftal van 8'jes verslaan, mitst ze met mekaar samenspelen
For me, Younes loses 2 points on his rating just for completely screwing up the breakaway late in the match where the keeper was retreating the entire length of the pitch. He had Ziyech (I think) completely alone with an open net, yet chose to shoot (wildly over the bar) himself.
JC, that was the best game I seen in a long, long time. Maybe even dating back to 2005 or 2006. Of course, we're gonna get killed next draw we get, but hey it was nice while it lasted.....LOL
Don't get carried away. This game could have easily been lost in the final minutes because Ajax were so wasteful. I don't consider missing so many open chances on goal as a "good" game. It was a decent match but nothing compared to the Huntelaar/Suarez team that would have finished this one off very early on. I'm still pissed that Bosz benched Tete early on as he is a far superior player to Veltman it's not even funny. Now he leaves on a free transfer this summer. Disgusting that management botched this one big time.
The way they played today, they will beat them!! But of course you know that wont happen.........LOL. The Jekyl & Hyde will come out and we'll go out 10-0 No but seriously!! We have a decent shot at making the semis or (god forbid) the FINAL!!!