The atmosphere at the stadium looked great and it was wonderful that the team could feed off that and deliver a solid win with a little bit of style. Hopefully they will take this form into the Eredivisie.
Just watched the first half against RKC - the first match I've been able to watch all year - and I can see what Farioli is trying to get them to do. They seem more committed than last year but still missing some quality and have a frustrating tendency to make the wrong decisions near the goal. Also, there were times when RKC ventured out from the low block and Ajax managed to break through the first line of defense but didn't press the advantage. Still, I can see what @Orange14 means when he says that the squad is trending in the right direction.
Another dreadful away match and Ajax leave it until late. Traore with the match winner in the 76th minute and then sets up Godts just before the final whistle to make it 0-2. Pasveer had little to do as RKC are really a very poor side that cannot attack or defend. By all rights, this one should have been 0-5. Only when Fitz-Jim came on did the MF look like creating something. Klaassen hit the post but otherwise was laboring in the 2nd half. van den Boomen had a couple of free kick opportunities but was wide each time. Player Ratings Pasveer (6.5) - played balls at his feet very well and had maybe two easy saves to make Rensch (6.5) - decent game defending when he had to and trying to take the inside channel on offense Sutalo (6.5) - one poorly played ball letting an RKC player get to the end line but no shot came of it Baas (7) - very steady Hato (7) - good movement into the offensive zone but the final passes were not there van den Boomen (6) - too static and other than some free kicks not a contributor Taylor (6) - above average and tried to cut the ball back when he beat his man in the box but could not Klaassen (5.5) - had the armband today and that was the highlight of his game other than the clanger off the post Rassmussen (5.5) - back to earth as an average right winger Brobbey (6) - had good ball control and layed the ball off in the box but his teammates could not convert Banel (4.5) - mediocre Godts (6.5) - very good with the ball and was dangerous all 2nd half Akpom (6) - had a couple good runs into open spaces but that was it Traore (6.5) - nice shot to win the match and a very nice pass to Godts for the clincher Fitz-Jim (6) - night and day difference in the MF when he came in Henderson (NR) - on late Away to Slavia Prague on Thursday and home to Groningen next weekend.
Totally agree Fitz Jim enhanced the Midfield when he came on. Brobbey frustration again as he just rarely gets any quality service. Not enough ball running to create chances for BB. Lacking cutting edge clearly. Hopefully Berghuis when he returns can add that needed dimension.
In terms of attacking youngsters: thought Godts brought a lot of energy and purpose to the match. He was great as a sub. Very impressive. Same with Fitz-Jim... still a bit wasteful with his final 1/3 decisions but getting better. Seems to want to go forward. On the flip side: Banel was bad. Also showed up teammates a couple times. Did not look at all like a first team player. Rasmussen -- just not good enough. Unfortunately with congested schedule and Berghuis hurt, those 2 will have to play minutes by default.
Ajax are missing Henderson, Weghorst, Fitz-Jim and Traore for the match in Prague. All have minor injuries. Not a lot of good options in the MF.
Probably wise. Slavia Praag are almost unbeaten this season. Think it’s going to be tough sailing tonight especially with all the midfield injuries.
Warning from Galasek: https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1507...k-waarschuwt-ajax-slavia-praag-is-een-machine I'm too lazy to look it up, but I think Dutch clubs have traditionally had trouble against Czech teams
Straight up crazy to watch Ajax totally grind out a point on the road... but I will take it. Great mentality from the guys. With so many matches in a condensed time period, that is a giant draw. Also absolutely ridiculous Wijndal and Gaaei got stuff thrown at them AND get a yellow.
Ajax attitude in the last 15 min. was arguably the ugliest I've ever seen. It was sad watching so many players writhing and rolling around for the sake of wasting a minute or two.Dignity and integrity should mean much more than a point in a game.
Sorry for the late report but I had to watch the replay as it is Rosh Hashanah today. This had to be one of the ugliest matches I've seen Ajax play and they were lucky to get away with a point. Slavia are the top side in Czechia. The Latavian match official was out of his depth and lost control of the game early. He tried a mid-course correction in the 2nd half issuing a bunch of YCs but that just seemed to inflame all the players even more. Full credit to Pasveer for making some top notch saves. Baas was a bit unfortunate in the sending off as the 2nd YC was pretty marginal in my opinion. Sutalo was a rock on defense again. Brobbey should have done much better on his second chance on goal and he knew it. Player Ratings: Pasveer (8) - couldn't stop the goal that evened things up but otherwise was solid Rensch (7.5) - did a fine job of defending on the night Sutalo (8) - solid job Baas (5.5) - defended well but was sent off for a second YC Hato (7.5) - rock solid defending particularly when Ajax were down to 10 men van den Boomen (6.5) - did OK but his free kicks were poor, though his PK was solid enough Taylor (6) - had one good move in the box but otherwise just average Hlynsson (5.5)- had little impact and came off injured in the 2nd half Rasmussen (6) - gets a point for drawing the penalty Brobbey (5.5) - held the ball up well and drew a bunch of fouls but we really need more from him Godts (6) - tracked back well but could not do much offensively Tahirovic (6.5) - decent enough defending as it was really needed Wijndal (6) - OK match as he moved up to play left wing in place of Godts Gaaei (6) - had one good run into the box but it was not going to happen tonight Akpom (5.5) - average at best Rugani (NR) - on late and had a couple of good clearances Groningen coming up at the weekend and I hope some of the starters are healthy!!!
Ugly football tonight across the board, and it’s very hard to watch. Really need an injection of quality in midfield and attack. Nothing much more to say.
The midfield reminded me of last year. Let’s just call this a step back because of injuries and hope for some of the injured to get back and some strengthening at the winter break!
Ajax absolutely have to win matches against this type of opponent. Only late heroics by Weghorst with an able assist from Gaaei made sure of all three points. Sutalo with a major blunder in not clearing the ball with the resultant Groningen goal. Ajax had most of the possession and were creating a bunch of half chances after the Klaassen goal but could not convert any of them. van den Boomen had a decent PK but it was a good save from the keeper to deny him. The defense other than the Sutalo error was decent enough but I worry that this team is really not capable of playing two matches every week which is what looms ahead after the FIFA break. Player Ratings: Pasveer (6.5) - again had to play a lot of balls at his feet to help the build up and really did not face any difficult shots Rensch (7.5) - thought he had an excellent match bot defending and when he had the ball Sutalo (6) - forget this one and come back strong in two weeks Baas (6.5) - had a couple of moments of uncertainty Hato (7) - solid game at LB van den Boomen (5.5) - really not much of a factor at all and arguably could have done better with the PK Taylor (6.5) - worked hard trying to open spaces on the left side and was decent with the ball Davy One Goal (5.5) - mediocre other than the goal Traore (4.5) - not good at all Brobbey (6.5) - helped on the Klaassen ball and held the ball well turning his defender several times, unfortunately the finishing touch was not there Godts (6.5) - kept control of the ball well but it was challenging to unlock the Groningen defense Akpom (5.5) - on for Brobbey and got the easy third goal off a nice pass from Weghorst Rasmusssen (5.5) - on for a mediocre Traore and was above average Henderson (5.5) - on for Klaassen and after a couple poor passes early settled into the game nicely Weghorst (NR) - on late but has to be MOTM for the goal and assist Gaaei (NR) - picture perfect cross for the match winner Off for two weeks now and then away to Heracles followed by a long trip to Baku Azerbaijan
It hasn't been pretty BUT... 6 matches: 4 wins, 2 daws in 18 days isn't bad. Showed some serious guts and heart the last two matches. The quality isn't great but give Farioli and the team credit for just grinding out points. This is how it'll have to be this year. That's the (sad) reality.
Analysis by VI: https://www.vi.nl/pro/analyse/francesco-farioli-repareert-de-defensie-van-ajax In recent months, Francesco Farioli has succeeded in the first priority on his tactical to-do list: repairing the defense. After a horror defensive year, in which Ajax conceded more goals (61) than an RKC Waalwijk or Almere City, a strong defense provides a solid bottom line under the leadership of Farioli. Last season, Ajax allowed a chance quality of 1.54 Expected Goals per game, but after the first six competitive matches under Farioli, that average is now 60 percent lower (0.62). Maintaining that defensive foundation requires adjustments from game to game. This was also the case against FC Groningen's 4-2-2-2 formation.
I have a special one made of foam for special occasions https://www.amazon.com/Funrarity-Br...eywords=Funrarity+Brick&qid=1728309780&sr=8-1