For the first time since 1978, Ajax has not won in the Adelaarshorst. Go Ahead Eagles made it 2-0 in the first half via Inigo Cordoba and Philippe Rommens. Steven Berghuis limited the damage somewhat after the break, but it was not enough: 2-1.
The starting eleven of Ajax had changed in four places compared to the duel with Benfica. For example, André Onana was under the bar in the Eredivisie for the first time in more than a year, due to the serious injury of Remko Pasveer. Perr Schuurs, Devyne Rensch and Davy Klaassen were also allowed to appear at the kick-off in Deventer. After three minutes, Ajax had a great chance via Klaassen, the ball ended up on the crossbar. A period without great chances followed.
Out of nowhere, however, Go Ahead Eagles took the lead. A shot by Inigo Cordoba was changed direction by Daley Blind and disappeared behind Onana: 1-0. The team from Amsterdam then became dangerous after a long shot by Blind, the volley went just wide. Just before half time Phillipe Rommens pushed Ajax even deeper into trouble by making it 2-0. In the phase before this goal, Onana kept the visitors going.
Watch Inigo Cordoba’s 1-0 below:
Go Ahead held out
It also did not go smoothly for Erik ten Hag’s team after the break. The team from Amsterdam only came to pinpricks in the initial phase. That changed after Steven Berghuis made it 2-1. He was able to head the ball into the goal after fumbling with the people of Deventer. Even after this goal, Ajax was unable to put Go Ahead to the test.
Ajax tried to turn it around in the final phase. Substitute Danilo, for example, had a head chance, but the substitute Brazilian’s effort went just wide. Dusan Tadic then fired another shot at Go Ahead’s goal. Andries Noppert was able to turn this bet. As a result, Ajax lost to Go Ahead Eagles for the first time in 44 years.
Ajax setup: onana; Rensch (Mazraoui/46), Schuurs, Martínez, Blind; Klaassen (Danilo/59), Álvarez (Gravenberch/59), Berghuis; Antony (Kudus/82), Haller, Tadic