In the play-offs of the Europa League, Ajax drew 0-0 at home against Union Berlin. Despite 64% possession of the ball, the team from Amsterdam could not break any pots, especially offensively.
In the beginning of the game, Dusan Tadic had a nice chance, but his assumption was not good. Furthermore, there was little to experience in the initial phase.
Offensively weak
Union Berlin became dangerous through a long shot from Jerome Roussillon that went just wide. In the incredibly static first half, little else happened. Ajax did not create a single goal attempt.
After the break, the game got going more. Brian Brobbey seemed to go one on one towards the German goal, but Union Berlin keeper Frederik Ronnow was alert. On the other hand, Ajax keeper Gerónimo Rulli was important twice. He managed to avoid a goal with two nice saves.
Life in the brewery
After 65 minutes, Morten Thorsby appeared to put the visitors ahead, but the goal was disallowed due to handball. In the last ten minutes of the match, Ajax seemed to push a bit more, but it did not come to any clear-cut chances.
The return is in Berlin on Thursday, February 23 at 9 p.m.
Setup Ajax: Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Bassey, Wijndal (Brobbey/46); Álvarez, Taylor, Berghuis; Kudus, Tadic, Bergwijn (Klaassen/75).