another stroll in the park for Ajax and another 5-0 victory. Fortuna were a better team than Cambuur but Ajax are just too good right now. Very little defending had to be done and there was some might fine passing from the victors. I have to say that Alvarez is MOTM for me. He was virtually flawless in his ball handling (look at the pass to Blind on the third Ajax goal) and I think he won every single ball in his area. Player Ratings: Pasveer (6) - he had to make one save but otherwise just did a bunch of kicking Blind (7) - split time at LB and CB and did well passing Martinez (6.5) - little involved in the game but not by his choice Schuurs (6.5) - had a couple of interventions but otherwise was never troubled Mazraoui (7.5) - quite a fine match and his goal was well taken Alvarez (7.5) - outstanding game on both sides of the ball; his passing is much quicker and there is more forward thinking and confidence Gravenberch (7) - very good with the ball and broke up a couple of plays defending Berghuis (7) - nice enough goal for the game winner in the half he played Tadic (7) - solid for the Captain who did a stint in the middle as a false 9 Haller (6) - worked hard all mach but didn't get any service Antony (6.5) - had a couple of opportunities to pass but shot instead Kudus (6.5) - good seeing him even if just for a half, had a very alert run into the box and was rewarded with a goal Tagliafico (6) - what a fine goal he got in the sub role Daramy (6) - some very alert play and he should see more time spelling Tadic going forward Taylor (5.5) - saw very little of the ball Danilo (NR) - on late Groningen at home this weekend followed by CL action against Besiktas next week.
Ajax surely LOVE to score lately… 19 goals in past three matches, that’s just insane Hope they save some ammunitions for the “rainy” days
Latest news is Onana will sign with Inter on a free transfer, moving on at the end of the season. Let him rot someplace other than Ajax!!!
Another easy victory, 3-0 over an undermanned Groningen who were missing some starters because of suspension and injuries. Alvarez with the match winner in the first half on a nice header. Ajax were quite wasteful in front of goal and Mazraoui could have easily had a hat trick. Haller could have done better on a couple of occasions. Pasveer and the defense had little to do as the goal was never threatened. Let's hope this run of good play continues next week when Besiktas come for the CL group match. Player Ratings: Pasveer (5.5) - had nothing to do except make some routine passes from the back and a few kick outs Blind (6) - had several bad passes including one that forced him to make a last ditch tackle in the box to save a threat on goal Martinez (6.5) - largely a spectator all match long though he gets extra credit for the great pass to Mazraoui on the final goal Timber (6.5) - also had little to do and brought the ball in deep on one occasion Mazraoui (7) - his rating is a bit flattering as he missed several golden opportunities to score but he did make the runs to get open Alvarez (7) - won almost every ball towards him and his game winner was more difficult than it looked Gravenberch (6.5) - smooth on the ball but might have done a little better when he got close to the box Berghuis (7) - solid game and his assist to Alavarez was excellent; has he displaced Klaassen in the starting 11? Tadic (7) - solid game and had some very good passes in tight Haller (6) - decent enough but could have done better in the box when the scoring opportunity was there Antony (7) - spectacular shot for the second goal Neres (6) - on for Antony in the 2nd half and had a couple of good runs Daramy (6) - fast to the ball but squandered a good opportunity when in on goal Klaassen (NR) - on late Kudus (NR) - on late Tagliafico (NR) - on late though given Blind's slowness, he really needs more game time
That's a really interesting question. Saw this on twitter just showing different Klaassen and Berghuis are: Two maps showing the passing sequences of @AFCAjax. On the left-side Fortuna vs Ajax [0-5] and on the right-side Ajax vs Vitesse [5-0] earlier this season. Interesting to see the difference between Steven Berghuis and Davy Klaassen filling in the number ‘10’ role. #Ajax https://t.co/GieJmmhARE pic.twitter.com/bE4E4sDGG4— weTalk Ajax (@wetalkajax) September 23, 2021 I believe with Haller that Berghuis style is much better than Davy. If you start Tadic, then I'd start Davy. Kinda crazy that Nico, Neres and Davy right now aren't first choice XI players. I like Martinez at LCB a lot. He covers lots of ground and plays with ah fight that I sometimes think the team has missed. Daley as a LB works really well against lesser opponents. This is probably the most solid, deepest team at Ajax in a while. The 18/19 team had better top end talent, more youth but this team is just totally complete. No glaring holes outside of maybe CM depth. But if Kudus gets fully fit/healthy, that position becomes stacked as well. I'm really curious if Nico or Neres move in the winter. It's a waste for them to not play.
538 has us at 83% to win. I can't recall ever having seen a more lopsided prediction in the CL group stage. EDIT: except for Real, who is at 85% to beat Sheriff.
@Orange14 Jong Ajax is on ESPN today: https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/4023724/ajax-ii-vs-mvv/ I'm gonna see if I can get back home in time to catch the game
You're right-- Keeper is a giant glaring hole. It's why I am fine with Onana playing. If he plays well, with the right draw this team could do damage in CL KO stages. They're missing a ton of players. We should win easily. If we do, we are pretty set to go through to the next round barring a total collapse (would probably only need 4 pts from the final 6 matches). But this is Ajax so I'm not counting the points until we win. Strange things can happen.
I'm reading reports that Ajax is in the States to sign Ricardo Pepi. However I can't find any Ajax source about it. Most of the times the paper with direct access to the Ajax board, de Telegraaf, is handed the scoop of such actions. Any insights?
There has not been anything on the reputable Ajax site about this. There was a US ESPN story that Juventus, Inter and possibly Bayern are after him.