Ajax Reborn - the Farioli Edition; Ajax 2024-25

WTF was Mattheus thinking?????????????????? He makes a bunch of great saves and then doesn't even realize he has a back pass to deal with. Maybe he forgot that they changed the rules on back passes 20 or so years ago!!!! The final 20 minutes plus stoppage time, Ajax played decent football. Three shots caromed off the post or cross bar and it took Reeger late to even up the score. The good news is Ajax got one of the seven points they need. The bad news is that they are still unconvincing other than defense. I'm puzzled why Fitz-Jim did not see a minute of action in this game. At least Henderson returns for the next match and maybe we don't see Klaassen at all. What a weird game.

Player Ratings:

Mattheus (2) - I was going to give him a ZERO but since Ajax got the draw and he did make some great saves in the first half, I decided to be charitable
Gaaei (6) - he had some good crosses and a couple of decent corner kicks
Sutalo (7) - good game and he took the opportunity to get forward opening things up a bit
Rugani (6) - decent enough
Hato (6) - still doesn't get the ball enough when he moves up the field
Klaassen (5) - just too limited to be on the pitch today
Taylor (5) - other than the shot that clanged of the upright he had little impact
Berghuis (4.5) - needed to show up and did not
Traore (3) - just horrible in all aspects of his game
Brobbey (5) - I'm now of the opinion that he needs to move on, maybe he can score for another team; he cannot for Ajax
Edvardssen (6) - put in a decent shift in his first start
Mokio (5.5 ) - had one bad ball loss but otherwise worked hard and almost scored
Weghorst (6.5) - put in a solid effort and at least knows where to run to get in a position to score
Godts (5.5) - better coming on as a sub than as a starter
Regerr (6) - usually late subs don't get a rating but Regeer hit a hard shot off the crossbar and then saved the point for Ajax

Fortunately, we won't be tortured next Sunday as Ajax have the weekend off. NEC at home in two weeks followed by a mid-week trip to Groningen and then wrap up with Twente at home. Will the team stumble over the line as the champions or not. Right now it's 50-50.

 

There is a difference between 'should' and 'will' remain. Remember we also have some players coming back from loan: Goojier, Avila, Hlynsson, Medic, Mannswerk, Sosa, Forbs & Akpom!! YIKES. The big issue is whether any of these players can be sold at all. I think there are maybe a dozen players that need to be moved but I don't know if that is possible.

 

I would like to see them all go as well. I agree on not bringing Tadic and Eriksen back, particularly if they want a big salary. Neither of them can play a full 90 minutes. We will see what happens. I think only Akpom has an option to purchase but I've not seen any French matches to see if he is doing anything.

 

The U-15 team won a prestigious tournament in Mallorca. Winning all group stage matches and then beating Barcelona in the semi-final and Real Madrid in the final match. The final was won on PKs as the match was tied 1-1 after normal time. The Ajax youth keeper had a strong tournament. As Cruyff said, Ajax is all about the youth development!!!

 

Ajax came out as flat as an open bottle of soda that has been left on the table for two days. They have totally forgotten what got them to this point and think that they are so much better than the opponent in terms of personnel. Newsflash --- they are NOT better than most opponents they play. They have to come onto the pitch with passion and desire, both of which were totally lacking today. The only thing that I can truthfully say is that everyone who played had their shirts and shorts on correctly. What a sad commentary that is. I cannot even be bothered to give any player on the field more than a 4 and won't try. The blame falls upon everyone including Farioli who seems not to have had a clue in the past several matches as to how to get this team to play.

Full credit to NEC on the three goals they scored, all well taken. Ajax again have lots of possession and 22 shots in the game. Can anyone say the NEC keeper was ever troubled other than the one header by Taylor? Another team that is well organized to hold Ajax in check and Ajax with no way to unlock things.

Why he continues to start Klassen is indeed a mystery on the same level as the lost city of Atlantis. Hato seems to only be thinking of a big payday at the end of the season. Taylor looks mystified. Traore is no more than useless. Weghorst put in a decent shift but can't get the ball in a position to score. Berghuis is washed up. Gaaei is second rate. Henderson knows what to do but is betrayed by a 34-year-old body. I don't know why Sutalo came off at the half, maybe he was ill as I did not see him pick up an injury.

The lead is now one point and Ajax need two wins. I don't see this happening and PSV have two easy matches. Maybe this will go down in the lore of Ajax as one of the worst collapses of all time. After this game, I don't see Farioli sticking around though it's unclear what his future will be as he's not ready to manage to top tier football team.