Six goals, plenty of space, big mistakes – Ajax draws against Olympique Marseille

Also read: about Sven Mislintat’s deal and the peace that trainer Maurice Steijn can no longer keep in Amsterdam

Mislintat will not be in the stands on Thursday, nor will he be in the stands against Feyenoord next Sunday. He has been informed by the club management that he must remain out of the picture during the investigation. What is visible is a single banner at the F-side with the text ‘Rvc out’. Fanatical supporter groups had already called for the departure of the supervisory board earlier in the week.

In Olympique Marseille, Ajax met a club on Thursday evening that is also uneasy. Two days before the match against Ajax, newly appointed Spanish coach Marcelino García Toral resigned again, after threats from supporter groups following the poor start to the season. French interim coach Jacques Abardonado only led his first training a day before the match against Ajax.

Outside there are dozens of police vans, inside, two coaches, Maurice Steijn and Abardonado, are constantly nervous in front of the dug-out. The match ignited by a seemingly harmless long ball from goalkeeper Jay Gorter. Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba simply passes under the ball, after which the fast Carlos Forbs shoots an unmissable opportunity past goalkeeper Pau López. Euphoric scenes in the Johan Cruijff Arena – the start that was hoped for.

You expect a goal like that to give the right push. But it soon becomes clear how fragile Ajax still is. Difficult interplay at the back, an incorrect back pass from defender Josip Sutalo and Marseille attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is completely free for goalkeeper Gorter. He stands still and stops the half-failed pin.

A minute later, Kenneth Taylor gets another huge chance. And shortly afterwards Ajax made it 2-0. After a short corner kick to Borna Sosa, who delivers a perfect ball to the cleverly freed Steven Berghuis on the edge of the sixteen-meter area. He shoots hard and clean with his left hand.

Ajax seems to be having an easy evening. But three minutes later it is 2-1. Jonathan Clauss easily cuts through the defense, including past Sosa, and shoots convincingly. A minute later there is another great chance for Taylor, after a good put back from striker Brian Brobbey.

All in all, it could have been 4-3 after less than half an hour of football. Typical of the large spaces given away is the opportunity for Marseille striker Iliman Ndiaye, who rarely appears free in front of Ajax’s goal. But he doesn’t get the ball well and shoots the crossbar.

In that phase, the defensive organization at Ajax is very fragile. There is almost no midfield. After a repulsed attack from Ajax, after 37 minutes of football, Marseille combined quickly and easily. Aubameyang sneaks away from defender Jorrel Hato, is then not caught by Sosa, and scores 2-2.

Shortly before half time there is a huge chance from Azzedine Ounahi to make it 2-3, but Ajax is spared that. Yet there is a cautious whistle at the half-time signal.

Youth player

After the break, Ajax plays a little more controlled, with youth player Silvano Vos as central midfielder instead of million-dollar purchase Benjamin Tahirovic. And from a classic Ajax attack, the home team quickly scores 3-2: opening on the right by Forbs, who passes well to Taylor, who shoots completely freely through the goalkeeper.

Captain Steven Bergwijn has a chance to make it 4-2 halfway through the second half, after good preparatory work by Brobbey. But goalkeeper Lopez makes a good save.

It will cost Ajax dearly. Because fifteen minutes before the end, Aubameyang scores 3-3. He gets too much space from right back Anton Gaaei. The crowd is still on the benches for a moment, when Taylor has a great chance, but he fires the ball over.