A draw was a fair result in this game which was stretched from the beginning. I don't know why Blind was so out of position on the second Zapata goal. Both teams had chances and Ajax tried too many cute dummies in the box which did not connect. Given all the space on the pitch I am surprised that more goals were not scored. Atalanta had a couple of good chances that were skied over the crossbar. Ajax now face the Danish team for home and away matches and need to win both to at least assure third in the group. It will be an interesting return match with this Italian team in Amsterdam. Player Ratings: Onana (6.5) - had a couple of saves to make and did so Tagliafico (7) - he had a good match and had to make some plays on defense which he did Blind (6) - to me he was way out of position on the 2nd goal Schuurs (7) - brought the ball forward with authority and did as well as he could against Zapata Mazraoui (6) - pretty quiet match and was subbed off for Klaiber maybe because he was on a Yellow Klaassen (7) - worked really hard all game defending well and other than two poor passes set things up well Gravenberch (7) - very nice match on both ends Tadic (7) - worked really hard but couldn't get a shot off; cooly dispatched the PK Antony (7) - played a very good game and tracked back well; I hope he is not seriously injured Traore (7.5) - great hold up play and shielded his man very well Neres (6) - worked hard but was not a factor Klaiber (6) - decent coming on for Mazraoui Promes (5.5) - had some touches and that was it coming in for Neres Labyad (NR) Credit to the club for working hard all match long!!!!
Agreed on most marks, except for: Onana solid!! 8 Taglia 9 Blind 7 Schuurs 8 (Mikey Owen called him the next deLigt. (exaggerated maybe, but hes not that far off). Mazra 7 Gravenberch 8 Ajax future attacking/creative midfielder?? Neres 6 Average Traore 8 Excellent follow-up on the PK call. He needs to starts every game
Tough result blowing 2-0 nil lead. Really impressed by Antony, Gravenberch, and Traore up top. Unhappy again with Tadic tonight.
Corner kicks since de Ligt have become more dangerous for opponents. I was scared every time we had one. I thought Granvebersch was outstanding. However, I think Ajax really left the middle of the field wide open at times. I have no clue why Martinez didn't play. He would have been important.
The only thing they have in common is that Raiola is their agent. Kluivert's current trajectory will make him a solid candidate for the Freddy Adu award in two years.
It started back when he was Zlatan's agent and forced a move away. Ajax have always had problems with players of his. I think that was one reason they let Bakker go.
The Swiss Ramble has a Twitter thread on Ajax finances: #Ajax 2019/20 accounts cover a season when the Eredivisie was ended early in April due to COVID-19. The KNVB decided to maintain league positions with Ajax leading, but no title was awarded. Eliminated at Champions League group stage. Some thoughts in the following thread.— Swiss Ramble (@SwissRamble) October 29, 2020 It is sobering to note that even the worst EPL team gets more in TV money than the entire Ajax player wage bill.
To the clubs he is, but for his players he's very caring. He really watches where a young talent has the best opportunity to develop and if necesary advices against a move to a top club if it's not in the interest of a youngster at that moment.
Disappointing defending and this type of play would get really punished in the Champions League. The scoreline flattered Ajax on the day. Three penalty calls against Fortuna certainly helped Ajax who had the major share of possession in the game. Player Ratings: Onana (6.5) - didn't have much to do and was helpless on the two goals Martinez (7) - decent enough game deputizing for Tagliafico Blind (6.5) - some good passing and some poor defending Schuurs (6.5) - pretty much the same kind of game as Blind Mazraoui (6) - don't know where he was on the first goal and came off in the 2nd half with an ankle injury Klaassen (7) - good game with two goals but his passing was a bit suspect Gravenberch (7) - put in a good shift again Ekkelenkamp (5) - had two good chances to score and fluffed the chance each time Antony (6.5) - had some good passes and good to see that he was not injured against Atalanta Traore (7) - pretty good match in tight spaces Neres (7) - unlucky not to have scored Promes (7) - good half of football and cool with the penalty kick Brobbey (6) - in the right place and made sure of the goal in his first performance Klaiber (6) - on for Mazraoui Tadic (6) - good play coming on for the final 20 minutes Martinez (NR) - on late Trip to Denmark for a CL match that is a must win game if Ajax want to stay alive
Did Ajax get their money already from Barcelona for Dest? If not and Barca goes belly up, Ajax can say goodbye to their money and Dest is a free agent.
Dusan Tadic, Davy Klaassen, André Onana, Maarten Stekelenburg en Ryan Gravenberch have all tested + for Covid https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1927031301/nieuwe-corona-explosie-treft-ajax
Right after the trip to Atalanta.... shocking. So only 1 GK on the trip. Defense should be fine but midfield is a total mess without Klassen, Gravenbersch. This match just got a lot tougher. And no guarantee they are available for the return match next week. Why always Ajax?
Return match is not until later in the month because of the International break. Lots of clubs have been hit by COVID-19, not just Ajax and there has been a big outbreak in the country so I don't think it was because of the Atalanta trip. It could also be false positive tests and those players are being retested. EDIT: Ajax test their players three times a week but this was a different test that was used because of UEFA requirements. Onana and Gravenberch both had COVID-19 and one would think that they should not have tested positive. I've been doing a daily newsletter since mid-March and false positives are not uncommon.
Onana, Gravenberch, and Tadic are in Denmark and it appears have been cleared to play by UEFA. Only Klaassen and Steks have stayed behind.
BIZAR: Davy #Klaassen en Maarten Stekelenburg gespot op luchthaven in Denemarken. Tweetal toch bij selectie van #Ajax tegen Midtjylland? Zou krankzinnig zijn. #midaja https://t.co/ou1Jbe70UR— Mike Verweij (@MikeVerweij) November 3, 2020 WTF... this whole thing is so strange. I like the lineup Onana; Mazraoui, Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico; Martínez, Gravenberch, Ekkelenkamp; Promes, Tadic, Antony. Klassen is on the bench. So is Neres, Brobbey.
this is just weird. I've been reading papers since mid-March and if one is to believe this UEFA test, the error rate was 20%. Not only that, but three Ajax players had COVID-19 before and they tested positive. Something was wrong big-time.