The Future is Now! Ajax 2021-22 Season

Discussion in 'The Netherlands' started by Orange14, May 24, 2021.

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  1. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    For what's worth, former top referee Mario van de Ende kind of agrees with Kuijt his take, in the sense that two legs in the air is almost by default reckless and dangerous for the opponent. An uncontrolled motion with force. Remember that Tagliafico red card in the super cup game?

    Already before the game Rose (and his friend Wormuth) said they need to be fierce.

    https://www.ajaxshowtime.com/voetba...ormuth-over-ajax-hij-weet-waar-hij-over-praat

    "You have to walk against them, hurt them [sic]" but also later adding "we will not try to kick them" :rolleyes:
     
  2. Orange14

    Orange14 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 27, 2007
    Bethesda, MD
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    It looked from the get go that Dortmund were prepared to pressure Ajax and get goals. The defense held up OK and Pasveer was able to keep things sorted out. Then came a very questionable RC to Hummels and all of the sudden Ajax were playing against 10. Dortmund were awarded a penalty by VAR which on seeing the replay was justified. Reus shot low and Pasveer did get a late hand on the ball but not enough to keep it out of the net. Ajax came out in the second half prepared to rotate the ball and look for openings. Dortmund stood strong but Antony came up with some excellent crosses to enable Ajax get the win and move on to the knock out round. It was good to see Ajax closing the game out in the final ten minutes by controlling the ball. Too bad they did not do this back in 2019 against Tottenham.

    Player Ratings:

    Pasveer (7.5) - alert in the goal and great on the ball as well, his kicking as exemplary
    Blind (7) - good game but did give the ball up cheaply leading to a Dortmund break
    Martinez (6.5) - stumbled early on and was bailed out by Pasveer who got a hand to a knock the ball away from the Dortmund striker
    Timber (7) - solid on the game
    Mazraoui (7.5) - really good on the overlap and interplay with Antony
    Alvarez (4) - poor game; didn't control the MF at all and picked up a silly YC
    Gravenberch (6.5) - just shy of a 7 for me, did OK handling the ball but was overrun early in the game
    Berghuis (6.5) - above average is all
    Tadic (7.5) - went hard for the deflected cross got the goal before crashing into the upright
    Haller (7) - worked hard and was rewarded with the match winner
    Antony (8) - strong on the ball and his crosses were outstanding
    Klaassen (6.5) - nice goal to cap things off
    Kudus (6) - showed some flashes with the ball

    Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday followed by another international break. Besiktas come up with a trip to Turkey at the end of the month.
     
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  3. Didnot see the match, but these ratings suggest the play wasnot that good.

    https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieu...rt-een-absolute-uitblinker-twee-onvoldoendes/
    Ajax op rapport: één absolute uitblinker, twee onvoldoendes
    3 november 2021 – Ajax heeft zich woensdagavond verzekerd van overwintering in de Champions League. Anders dan de uitslag doet vermoeden, ging dat verre van soepel. Uiteindelijk won het met 1-3 van het tiental van Borussia Dortmund, waardoor ook de groepswinst haast zeker is. Ondanks de hosanna, zijn echter lang niet alle rapportcijfers even hoog uitgevallen.


    Remko Pasveer - 7
    De doelman van Ajax verkeert in uitstekende vorm en liet dat ook in Dortmund zien. In de eerste helft was Pasveer goed voor enkele fraaie reddingen, al was hij niet in staat om de strafschop van Marco Reus te keren. Na de thee kreeg de goalie amper iets te doen.

    Noussair Mazraoui - 6
    In aanvallend opzicht liet de international van Marokko zich geregeld zien, maar op de eigen helft was er een negatieve hoofdrol. De rechtsback tikte tegenstander Jude Bellingham licht aan en veroorzaakte daarmee een strafschop. Zo kon Dortmund met tien man toch op 1-0 komen.

    Jurriën Timber - 6.5
    De centrumverdediger kwam amper in de problemen en speelde een prima wedstrijd in het Signal Iduna Park. Tegen tien man kwam de jeugdige international niet of nauwelijks in de problemen en zag hij voornamelijk zijn ploeggenoten voorin aan de bal.

    Lisandro Martínez - 5.5
    Waar de Argentijn normaal gesproken altijd erg degelijk is, was zijn spel vandaag erg slordig. Gelukkig voor Ajax had dat in de eerste helft geen gevolgen en kon de linkspoot veel herstellen. Ook Pasveer greep een paar keer goed in.

    Daley Blind - 5.5
    Blind werd twee weken geleden nog uitgeroepen tot Man of the Match, maar zal dit keer niet in aanmerking komen voor die prijs. De linksback speelde een zwakke wedstrijd en was niet in goede doen. Dat kan een keer gebeuren. Hopelijk kan de international zich snel herpakken.

    Ryan Gravenberch - 5
    Moet zich langzaamaan gaan afvragen of hij nog wel stappen zet in de juiste richting. Er bestaat geen twijfel over zijn kwaliteiten, maar de laatste weken is zijn topvorm ver te zoeken. Vooral in zijn afronding schiet Gravenberch flink tekort.

    Steven Berghuis - 5.5
    Kon niet zijn stempel drukken zoals hij dat de afgelopen belangrijke wedstrijden voor Ajax steeds deed. Net voor rust kreeg hij dé kans om zijn ploeg over het dode punt te helpen, maar dat liet hij na. Ruim twintig minuten voor tijd was het dan ook tijd voor een verse kracht.

    Edson Álvarez – 5
    Speelde niet groots, maar had verdedigend wel enkele aardige onderscheppingen. De grote smet op zijn wedstrijd was de domme gele kaart, die hem een schorsing oplevert. Door zijn gebrek aan controle mist hij nu het duel met Besiktas.

    Dusan Tadic - 6.5
    Wellicht niet zo briljant als we hem kennen, maar haalde vanavond zeker zijn basisniveau. Van Tadic gaat altijd dreiging uit en door slim te speculeren was hij uiteindelijk ook weer verantwoordelijk voor de bevrijdende treffer.

    Sébastien Haller - 6.5
    Op Haller staat deze editie van de Champions League absoluut geen maat. Inmiddels weet heel de wereld dat hij een hele onzichtbare wedstrijd kan spelen, maar wel een doelpunt kan maken. Door een goede loopactie en een dito kopbal was hij wederom zeer belangrijk.

    Antony - 8
    Was bij alle treffers weer zijn gewicht in goud waard. Met zijn theater smeerde hij collega Mats Hummels een rode prent aan, wat een smet was op zijn optreden. Verder kwam de goal van Tadic uit zijn voorzet en gaf hij de assists bij de tweede en derde treffer.

    Invallers

    Davy Klaassen - 7
    Toonde met zijn invalbeurt aan dat hij ook als controleur van toegevoegde waarde kan zijn in het aanvalsspel. Zijn kenmerkende diepgang, loopacties en zijn scorend vermogen hielpen dit Ajax verder, waardoor hij terug kan kijken op een prima invalbeurt.

    Mohammed Kudus - 5.5
    Was wat zoekende kort na zijn invalbeurt. Van hem werd verwacht dat hij de opening naar de gelijkmaker zou vinden. Die gelijkmaker viel al snel, maar de rol die Kudus speelde bij het slotoffensief bleef echter erg beperkt.
     
  4. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Only see now Dortmund had a handball in their own penalty area when 1-0 up.
     
  5. Orange14

    Orange14 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 27, 2007
    Bethesda, MD
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    Was that the play when there was a hard shot that hit the players body and then the arm? I think in that case it is not a hand ball.
     
  6. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Dortmund is starting an appeal at UEFA:

    http://law5-theref.blogspot.com/2021/11/champions-league-202122-referee.html?m=1
    https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/borussia-dortmund-gaat-contact-zoeken-met-uefa-over-rode-kaart-hummels

    If this is granted (or even if it is not granted), it shows the intimidating and deterrent might of 'the cartel'. As the blog says, even if the appeal is rejected, it might still have consequences for future appointments.

    This time it might ruin Oliver and Attwell their career (Attwell was also the VAR at NED-CZE in the euros, and Oliver was there with the Pickford incident).

    No such career wrecking intimidation took place at the many occasions when Ajax was on the short end of the stick.

    It has a psychological effect, certainly.
     
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  7. aveslacker

    aveslacker Member+

    Ajax
    United States
    Apr 2, 2006
    Old Madras
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I just watched the highlights and from my perspective both the red card and the penalty were a bit harsh. On the red, it was a reckless challenge, but I think yellow would be more appropriate. I didn't like the way Antony rolled around like Neymar after the foul at all. And the penalty was ludicrously soft in my opinion.
     
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  8. wynaldaisagod

    wynaldaisagod Member+

    Ajax
    United States
    Aug 9, 2019
    I think refs have been instructed that if someone leaves both feet, it's a red now. It was a really stupid challenge by Hummels and he wasn't close to the ball at all. I don't know if it was a red, 50/50 to me at best, but he put himself into a situation where he could be called for one.

    Penalty was 50/50 at best as well. I thought that was a handball on Dortmund in the 2nd half. We never really got a good look at it but his arm swung. Was very hard to tell.

    Fantastic result. An incredible, ruthless ending to the match. Antony was on another level. Gravenbserch had an incredible 2nd half after being so/so in the first. Davy is a really good sub in a match like this as well.

    Finishing first is huge. Means we will avoid Liverpool and Bayern (IMO the 2 best teams going right now) in the Round of 16. As long as we avoid PSG/Man City, I have to feel really good about the possible R16 opponents.
     
  9. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Yes indeed, the arm swung toward the ball

    UEFA has been very dubious with showing replays; offside decisions are now made very opaque and hidden as well for the viewer. In the Atalanta vs United game they only communicated the final decision to the viewer.
     
  10. richsavare

    richsavare Member+

    Ajax
    Netherlands
    Jan 28, 2003
    New Jersey
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    I Watched the replay last night without knowing the result for a day is hard work. Lol.

    As for the controversies the Hummels red card was a wild challenge that the referee sees, and fortunately he does not catch Antony who looked stupid rolling on the floor but that’s Brazilian football nonsense for you. VAR could have changed the ruling, but did not, and that changed the match.

    The penalty was extremely soft but the VAR is a shambolic tool in my opinion so it is what it is, and fortunately for Ajax does not become a big deal with the result of the match going our way.

    Anyway as I expected it was a much more difficult and competitive match with Borussia Dortmund pushed on by its massive support and their refined tactical game plan.

    They played with greater effort, energy, and focus after getting ripped apart 2 weeks ago so no surprise that Ajax could not perform at their near masterclass level.

    Hard fought game and great to get the points, but I would figure that the road will definitely get a lot more difficult going forward as future higher quality opponents will probably utilize some of Dortmund’s energetic tactics, and not allow Ajax to get comfortable, or into the rhythm of that 3rd matchday level.
     
  11. Brilliant Dutch

    Brilliant Dutch Member+

    Ajax
    Netherlands
    Oct 14, 2013
    Amsterdam, Holland
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
  12. DutchFanatic

    DutchFanatic Member

    Ajax
    Netherlands
    Dec 23, 2013
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    Honestly this is kind of sad. I think the red was harsh but so was the penalty they were gifted. This is nothing compared to the extreme officiating shit that Ajax has had to endure in previous years. I will never forget the Chelsea games. This was Dortmund getting one debatable call against them and one for them. I understand the frustration but their silence on the penalty is kind of hypocritical.
     
  13. It's a futile excercise.
     
  14. Orange14

    Orange14 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 27, 2007
    Bethesda, MD
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    I cannot give any credit to teams playing negative football. Go Ahead Eagles got a point by packing everyone behind the ball and Ajax despite 29 shots, only were able to put five on goal. Klaassen and Martinez had the best chances to score but all the other shots were blocked by the clogged penalty box. EtH sat both Berghuis and Gravenberch but Klaassen and Kudus really could not generate much creativity. Haller didn't get any service at all and when he had the ball at his feet there were too many defenders around him. Antony could not conjure any magic at all

    Player Ratings:

    Pasveer (6) - maybe he got a slight touch on the most dangerous shot near the end of the game but he had little to do
    Blind (6) - didn't have to defend but his passing was just average
    Martinez (6.5) - had to headers on corner kicks and defended decently
    Timber (6) - just brought the ball up field
    Gravenberch (6) - far more running than Blind but could not break free
    Alvarez (5) - had a couple of interventions and was OK on the ball before coming off
    Kudus (5.5) - was pretty quick but couldn't help break things down
    Klaassen (5.5) - his header against the upright was the only highlight of his game
    Tadic (6) - just above average is all
    Haller (5.5) - didn't get the ball in any open situation
    Antony (5.5) - always faced a double team and his crosses were aimless
    Gravenberch (5) - I hope he realizes he is not ready to move on from Ajax as he is not good enough yet
    Daramy (4.5) - mediocre performance trying to take players on and beat them; he could not and lost too many balls
    Schuurs (NR) - on late for Timber and was OK
    Danilo (NR) on late and had a shot but could not convert
    Neres (NR) - on late

    Two goalless draws are not good enough for this team. I cannot remember the last time an Ajax team won in the waning embers of a game. Feyenoord and PSV seem to do this all the time but not Ajax. Off next week for international matches.
     
  15. BTV802

    BTV802 BigSoccer Supporter

    AFC Ajax
    Jul 11, 2006
    Vermont
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    The past two Eredivisie matches have been brutal to watch. Thank goodness for the CL where we’ve played teams willing to play open football.
     
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  16. richsavare

    richsavare Member+

    Ajax
    Netherlands
    Jan 28, 2003
    New Jersey
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    Totally agree Orange14 regarding Gravenberch. I feel he has not progressed this season. Can be both sloppy and lazy.

    Not ready for the big move and if he does based on his current form he can likely expect to ride the bench.

    I was hoping he would have established himself with Oranje too but clearly that has not happened.

    Outplayed by the young English mf Birmingham the other day who is a comparable prospect.
     
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  17. Gravenberch shows the same attitude like Gakpo last season, too easygoing.
    However Gakpo did made a turn, so I do expect that from Gravenberch too.
     
  18. BPBlueSox

    BPBlueSox Member

    Ajax
    Netherlands
    Aug 21, 2003
    Georgia
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    For some reason I feel like Tagliafico would have made the difference today. All these lost points are going to come back to bite.
     
  19. Brilliant Dutch

    Brilliant Dutch Member+

    Ajax
    Netherlands
    Oct 14, 2013
    Amsterdam, Holland
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
  20. Nope. The only way that was going to break down the Go Ahead Eagles wall was by wingers able to dribble past their opponents. Tagliafico isnot such a player, he's one who penetrates by speed and that wasnot possible against GAE.
    Both wing sides of Ajax were awol against them and that was a major cause of the toothless attack. It's telling that between the Tadic toe poke early in the first half saved by the GAE goalie and the header against the pole by Klaassesn in the 74th minute there was literally no attempt on target and Haller wasnot supplied with one useable ball. That was the fault of the wings.
     
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  21. Orange14

    Orange14 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 27, 2007
    Bethesda, MD
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    They also failed in trying to go over the top as well. GAE were super well organized and from the outset were playing for a 0-0 draw. Berghuis might have made a difference as Klaassen is a very poor ball handler.
     
  22. Yeah. I was wondering about Kudus and Klaassen both on the pitch, as they lookalike in playstyle and capabilities, which werenot helpful in breaking down the wall. Berghuis would have been a better choice for either one of the two.
    Im not complaining ten Hag did it, mind you.:D
     
  23. Orange14

    Orange14 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 27, 2007
    Bethesda, MD
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    I still don't know where Kudus works best. He was injured for most of last season and has only played sporadically this season. He may be the quickest of all the Ajax MFs and seems to have pretty good ball control. Ajax paid a pretty penny for him so I hope he does perform.
     
  24. BPBlueSox

    BPBlueSox Member

    Ajax
    Netherlands
    Aug 21, 2003
    Georgia
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    totally understand what you mean here… but that’s not really what I was getting at. I was thinking more regarding his hunger/being on the bench. I feel like he might have done something with one of those corners or something.
     

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