Ajax lost the third group match in the Europa League 2-0 to English side Brighton. Due to Marseille’s loss and win at AEK Athens earlier in the evening, the Amsterdam team is now last in the group. In two weeks Ajax will play against the English team again in the Europa League, that match will be played in Amsterdam.
The match at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton and Hove was Ajax’s first match since the departure of coach Maurice Steijn last Monday. The line-up of interim coach Hedwiges Maduro had few surprises, but on the field the team was a lot more compact than in previous matches.
Most of the chances in the first half were for Brighton, which pushed Ajax far back. The Amsterdam team seemed to be without much self-confidence on the field and took little risk with the ball. Just before half time, the scoring was opened by Joao Pedro, who was able to shoot the ball in from close range after Ajax keeper Diant Ramaj failed to process a shot properly.
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No creativity, no danger
The game pattern changed little after the break and within eight minutes, Brighton doubled the lead through FC Barcelona mercenary Ansu Fati. Trainer Maduro changed his entire attack, but the team continued to play without creativity, without speed, without depth and above all: without danger.
The team from Amsterdam only managed to shoot on target once in the entire match and thus ended the first match after the Steijn era with another disappointing loss. Leader PSV awaits Sunday in Eindhoven, which has not yet lost any points in the Eredivisie this season and is now 23 points ahead of Ajax, number 17 in the rankings.
Earlier in the evening, AZ lost by a large margin to the English club Aston Villa. In Alkmaar it eventually became 4-1 for the number five of the English Premier League. After three group matches, AZ is last with three points, even below the small Bosnian club Zrinsjki Mostar on goal difference.