Just like last week, Ajax started against PEC Zwolle in a 4-4-2 formation. Only where when Dusan Tadic stood next to Sébastien Haller, that role was now for Brian Brobbey. The captain of the team from Amsterdam therefore dropped back to midfield. The start of Erik ten Hag’s team was strong. AZ barely got the ball over the halfway line and there were soon a few threatening moments, without any great opportunities.
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When the home team came somewhat close to Maarten Stekelenburg for the first time, a shot was fired, but Jesper Karlsson aimed far wide. A minute later, an attempt by the Icelander was smothered by Jurriën Timber. It took Ajax a while before the first chance was there, but Haller was unable to tap in Nicolas Tagliafico’s cross. On the other side Karlsson got a third shot, only his shot went straight at Stekelenburg again.
Just after a long phase in which Ajax controlled the game a lot less, it became 0-1. Kenneth Taylor sent his best friend Brian Brobbey away with a deep ball. The striker was simply smarter than Pantelis Hatzidiakos and lobbed in the opening goal.
AZ knew that it had to tap into something else and after 32 counts in the second half also immediately got its greatest chance. Again it was Karlsson who was able to score, but he curled the ball just wide of the goal. Moments later Brobbey could have made his second of the afternoon, but he found Peter Vindahl on his way.
It then became more of a fighting match and AZ fought alongside Ajax. Owen Wijndal gave up and Vangelis Pavlidis trumped Daley Blind to head in the equalizer. The home team then became stronger and Ajax more messy and fifteen minutes before the end the entire rear guard overlooked Hakon Evjen. He was able to hit the mark completely freestanding after a measured cross from Karlsson. Substitute Steven Berghuis gave Ajax a similar pass moments later, but Haller miraculously failed to tap the ball in.
Over the past few months, Ajax has regularly struggled in the final phase to a (better) result and now faced the same task again. Five minutes before the end, the mental toughness of the team was converted into a goal again. Berghuis again gave good – this time with a corner – and Edson Alvarez convincingly headed the ball against the ropes.
The leader of the Eredivisie turned out to be by far the most powerful and reported a number of times, especially via corner kicks. Bruno Martins Indi took the ball off the line one more time. However, the full loot was no longer in it. And so the 36th national title will in any case not come to the Johan Cruijff Arena this weekend.