Fitz-Jim starts, O14 will be happy: https://www.flashscore.com/match/jsew6KDO/#/match-summary/lineups Looks like I'll have to miss the 1st half Hopefully I make it back for the 2nd
@richsavare mentioned Paramount+, LiveSoccerTV also shows this. However, I just logged into Paramount+ and there is nothing on the schedule for Europa League qualifiers. I cannot remember from last year whether they showed qualifiers or not. The only solution is to get an IPTV subscription that provides you with TV from all over the world. This is a bit of a gray area and providers make no guarantee of the service. That being said, I have used TorpedoIPTV which is headquartered in Canada. @Brilliant Oranje pointed me to this and I've used it successfully for over three years now. It is linked to VLC MediaPlayer for streaming purposes. I think they have short term subscriptions you can use to try it out. I watched all the Dutch Cup matches on this as ESPN US does not carry those. I also use it to watch US network sports events that are not streamed as we dropped our cable TV sub.
Thanks for the update I’m seeing just as you mentioned about LiveSoccerTV, and nothing from Paramount + which I have had the past few years.
First half impressions not bad. Very active and definitely in much better physical condition is an immediate upgrade. Trying to play fast and some nice quick combinations, but lacking final ball or finishing, but lively stuff and good moving off the ball, and tight closing down defensively which I Love to see. Farioli is a lively figure himself on the touchline and I enjoy this action. Pasveer shaky is a concern.
From what I read there was a night and day difference between the first, a very good playing Ajax, and the second half: 70' Save by Remko Pasveer Ajax had chance after chance from minute 25 to 45, but in the second half it was unwatchable what Francesco Farioli's team showed. In the 70th minute there is a chance for Vojvodina and Remko Pasveer has to come into action with a save. The enthusiasm from the half-time whistle is slowly giving way to some grumbling in the stands, because this is not what Ajax supporters want to see.
Second half they tired and started to allow too much space and looked shaky defensively with some sloppy passes. Ajax badly needs an athletic playmaker who can provide some quality cutting edge. Can’t believe I’m going to say this but Sutalo was actually good tonight. I can’t stand Akpom and find him to be completely useless. Rijkhoff badly needs to show more so Akpom can get sent packing, but he rarely does anything himself in his limited time on the pitch. Farioli is very engaged and needs to continue with his high pressing style and the improved defensive awareness. Very early days but not terrible.
Optimism -> Pessimism -> Despair -> Exaltation (finally) Ajax squeak out a 1-0 win with a header from van den Boomen off a nice cross from Godts late in the 2nd half. Ajax had plenty of chances to score in the first half but the Serb defense was tough crowding the box and blocking what looked to be sure goals. Taylor had two open shots but could not put them on frame. Pasveer keeps a clean sheet thanks to the upright that blocked shot of the Vojvodina attacker who was suddenly and probably to his own amazement in on goal. Otherwise the defense was solid and Vojvodina did not have any breakaways as was so common last season. This team desperately needs Brobbey back at #9 and soon. Player Ratings: Pasveer (5.5) - unconvincing with some short kicks in the 1st half that went straight to opponent attackers and he did not have to make any difficult saves Rensch (6) - decent enough defending and overlapping on the inside (maybe the correct term is underlapping??) had a couple of good crosses when he had the opportunity Sutalo (6.5) - thought he was good on the night defensively but still looks insecure with the ball Baas (6.5) - solid performance and unlike Sutalo he is good with the ball at his feet Hato (6.5) - looks like he will be the LB of choice this season Henderson (6.5) - workmanlike performance but at his age can he keep it up Taylor (5.5) - should have done better with his opportunities and picked up a very stupid YC for dissent Fitz-Jim (6)- quick with the ball at his feet but we already knew that, unfortunately at #10 he is not much of an attacking threat but I guess Farioli prefers him to Hlynsson Rasmussen (6.5) - was worried after his first two poor touches but then he came alive and beat his man a couple of times and looked dangerous Akpom (5.5) - two weak headers and that was that, he looks too slow and I hope some EPL team will pay Ajax funny money as Rijkoff is better Forbs (6.5) - dangerous and had two very good shots that were saved and blocked, he still has a poor touch dribbling letting the ball get away, that may be why Pep let him go Godts (6.5) - on for Rasmussen and was solid, delivering the ball perfectly for the game winner Berghuis (6) - put a strong shift in with a couple good crosses van den Boomen (6.5) - best passer and free kick taker and got the match winner but likely will be sold soon Rijkoff (5) - on with van den Boomen but hardly touched the ball Banel (NR) - on late I'm on holiday next week and won't have access to a feed to watch the game.
I really am curious why Branco didn't play more last year and didn't start today. He just looks better than other guys like Tahirovic who have played over him. It's odd. Overall though, I liked Henderson a lot and thought Fitz-Jim was decent. Taylor was wasteful and slow in final 1/3. But the midfield wasn't bad. Front 3 I thought was pretty poor especially Akpom. If they're going to play a million crosses, how about a 9 that can win a header? Pasveer was a disaster. Ramaj not fit? Transfer coming? They kept showing him on the bench during the match.
Ramaj is fit. Farioli, for some reason, preferred Pasveer. I think today might have changed his mind.
Van den boomen best position is on left, where talyor plays. He is same as veerman ab co.any switch to another position will only yield average outings and in his case. Free kicks etc
Very interesting. That is really odd. Pasveer looked very old multiple times. I thought Ramaj was great by end of last year. Maybe Farioli is sending him a message? Sounds like Brobbey, Bergwijn will start training with team on Monday. Makes me think available as subs next week. That would be big-- current attacking options are weak.
From what I've been reading the 2nd half collapse was more a case of not being fit enough to maintain the pace and quality of the first half. So that will sort out with every match coming in this obstacle course to the EL with fitness increasing.
The roof of the Cruyff Arena was closed and I assume it was quite warm on the pitch which contributed to the tiring.
Like veerman, he also also is good on ball and doesnt dribble or run much.Passing, overhead, link ups etc. You have to play them to their strength to get the best out of them. BIT of eriksen type.
You are right and I've always said that van den Boomen is the best passer and free kick taker on the team. He has great field awareness as well. It's just a shame that he cannot ascend to the highest level because of his lack of speed and inability to defend.
Yes -- he is slow. I think Henderson's work rate/positioning next to him would help big time. I also think in a match like that last one where Ajax has most of the possession and needs to break down a defense, he is needed. The main issue is it's a trade of passing and quality for athleticism. We don't have a MF who has enough of both. So there's always going to be players lacking in the XI. I'd rather have the passing.