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After the slight disappointment of Wednesday evening in the Champions League, Ajax had to ensure that the safe margin of five points over PSV in the Eredivisie was maintained in Deventer. Andre Onana once again took his place under the bar, while the Amsterdam defense with Devyne Rensch and Perr Schuurs was filled in differently than usual.
Onana got busy on his return under the Amsterdam bar.
Ⓒ ANP/HH
An early opening goal was the motto for Erik ten Hag’s team for an easy afternoon, and Davy Klaassen made a good start. Shortly after the kick-off, he headed over the crossbar, albeit from an offside position.
At an atmospheric Adelaarshorst, Go Ahead meanwhile showed that they are not exactly intimidated by the dizzyingly good statistics that Ajax has been able to submit this season for the time being. With a healthy dose of swagger and energy, the people of Deventer pulled away, giving the Ajax players not a millimeter of space. The reward for this came after more than fifteen minutes of football, when Iñigo Córdoba saw the ball disappear into the goal through Daley Blind’s foot with a stylish arc beyond Onana’s reach.
A line through the bill of the visitors, who had to pull out all the stops in the minutes that followed in order not to run into bigger damage. For example, Onana was only able to prevent the 2-0 by tapping the ball over the bar.
Towards halftime Ajax then increased the pressure considerably, but the unaccustomed composition of the Amsterdam team led to misunderstandings and carelessness. There were still chances for 1-1 for Antony and Sébastien Haller, but instead of producing the equalizer themselves, Ajax got 2-0. With some luck, Ragnar Oratmangoen got the ball from Rommens, who shot the ball impeccably into the roof of the goal.
Rommens and Martina celebrate the 2-0 against Ajax.
Ⓒ ANP/HH
After the first half, the home team in Deventer must have enjoyed the tea very much, but Kees van Wonderen must have realized at the same time that his team was still far from winning. Yet Ajax also came out of the dressing room after the break, despite the introduction of Mazraoui for the disappointing Rensch. After an hour Erik ten Hag had seen enough, after which he made a double substitution.
With Danilo and Ryan Gravenberch fresh in the squad, Ajax’s cautious revival began. From position Antony first managed to create a threat, but it was Steven Berghuis who reduced the margin to one goal with his head.
The reigning national champion then had just under half an hour to permanently repair the damage. However, Ajax did not get really fresh energy from the connection goal. It almost exclusively had the ball, with the exception of few outbreaks of Go Ahead, but did not get through the excellently organized Deventer team. With no less than six minutes of stoppage time, everyone who has a warm heart for Go Ahead, but Van Wonderen’s men stood their ground.
Ajax is still in control of the Eredivisie itself, but has to conclude that the next misstep can be fatal.