Sustain the Excellence: Ajax, 2019-20

I just got finished watching the game as I had a meeting this afternoon. I have to say that I've not seen such a weird set of circumstances that resulted in the two players being sent off. It looked like Blind might have been fouled before he recklessly went in for the second YC. I guess Veltman was sent off for dissent as the hand ball wasn't really deserving of a card. Regardless, the two senior players on the team made huge mistakes in the first half by getting silly YCs when they didn't need to. I hate to be critical but that's what cost the match which Ajax should have won. Props to Onana for some great saves and also for all those on the pitch when Ajax lost their two center defenders.

Some great attacking football in the first half and van de Beek's goal in the second was a thing of beauty. Ajax continued to attack all the way to Alvarez's fine shot that forced a good save. Valencia hammered Lille in the other match and Ajax really need two wins to make sure of things.

Player Ratings:

Onana (8.5) - guessed wrong on both PKs but everything else was top notch
Tagliafico (7.5) - really fine game and ran hard until the end
Blind (3) - two YCs from a player who is usually under control
Veltman (4) = some very good defending but the first YC was just dumb since the player was pressed against the sideline and had no where to go
Mazraoui (7) - very nice game and he may have gotten his starting spot back
Martinez (7) - lost some balls that he shouldn't have but decent enough
van de Beek (8) - just plain better than good and his goal was sublime bringing the ball under control and snapping the ball across the keeper
Ziyech (9) - best match in an Ajax shirt
Tadic (7) - really worked hard to control the ball but it was always going to be tough
Neres (7) - played well and under control
Promes (8.5) - second only to Ziyech in impact on the night
Schuurs (6) - stayed strong when he came on and made a couple of good interceptions
Alvarez (6.5) - got a really fine shot off and defended well

ETH did a great job of preparing the team but was undone by the two sending offs.

 

Thanks. It will be really cool if Ajax and Chelsea meet in the CL finals. Ajax will get their revenge. Lampard has really impressed me as a manager; I didn't think he would have the team playing in this style.

 

Neres is out until after the winter break with a meniscus injury suffered against Chelsea. Don't know what ETH plans to do. Maybe Noa Lang steps in on the wing if they plan to keep the same type of attack with Ziyech at #10. Alternatively, Huntelaar gets a start.

 

^^ I read AjaxShowtime every day and they did not publish that possible lineup. Maybe it was from one of the newspapers. ETH may or may not put that lineup on the pitch tomorrow. I think he is comfortable now with Ziyech at #10. Most of the Jong Ajax players went the full 90 yesterday so I don't know if any will be on the bench tomorrow. Noa Lang was subbed off at 62 minutes and could see some time. Interestingly, Brobbey was on the bench and came on for the final 15 minutes. Don't know what is up with Labyad other than he picks up a paycheck every month. Perhaps he sees some playing time against his old club.

 

I warmly remember the howler of a game that the current Feyenoord keeper had against Utrecht maybe 6 years ago. It was the worst performance from a GK that I've seen in all my days of watching soccer. Could kick, couldn't save, couldn't play the ball out safely.

 

this was the best match Ajax have played this season. Great short passing in the offensive third and were it not for some great play from the Utrecht keeper this could have easily been 8-0. Ajax with 22 shots, 15 on goal; Utrecht by contrast had only 4 shots with none on frame. Onana could not have had an easier match. Ajax had well over 70% of the possession. Remember that Utrecht have been playing well and are in fourth place in the league. Ziyech at #10 has been a great decision from ETH.

Player Ratings:

Onana (6) - had to field a couple of back passes and that was his day
Tagliafico (8) - not much defending to do but great on offense with decisive passing and a couple of good goal chances
Blind (7.5) - took a half point off for the not given foul on the high kick but outstanding otherwise
Veltman (7.5) - not much defending to do on the night and good on the ball
Mazraoui (7.5) - solid enough
Martinez (8) - well played in the MF, unlucky not to have scored but then came right back with a solid header off a free kick
van de Beek (8.5) - great passing and two well taken goals
Ziyech (8.5) - unbelievably creative on the day
Promes (7.5) - solid enough for the left winger
Tadic (9) - MOTM for me with intricate passing, good ball control and a well taken goal
Labyad (7.5) - did well enough filling in for Neres
Dest (6.5) - good play coming on for Maz
Hunelaar (5) - I honestly could not even remember if he had a single touch
Lang (5.5) - had a some touches coming in late for Labyad

The passing in the first half reminded me of a Jong Ajax game back in 2016 with van de Beek, de Jong, and Nouri in the MF where they strung together over 20 passes in short space before getting the goal. this was the type of football Ajax played today.

Off now for the international break and the entertain Heracles with a trip to Lille in the CL to follow.

 

Ajax had a practice match against Willem II yesterday and won 6-1. Siem de Jong had a hat trick. Better news is that Hassane Bande saw action and also scored. He's a promising winger who has been out for some time.

In the ESPN FC power ratings that come out every week, Ajax are now in fifth place behind LIverpool, Juve, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Flamengo!!!

 

van der Sar and Overmars both extended their contracts at Ajax. Great news since both have been highly sought after by bigger clubs.

 

ESPN has their top 100 players listed today. Ajax have Onana, Tagliafico, van de Beek, Neres, and Tadic on the list. ETH is ranked as the 3rd best manager!! Both de Ligt and Frenkie made the list as well. de Ligt is #3 among defenders and de Jong #2 as central MF (behind N'golo Kante).