Ajax is in Italy this week, after practicing victories were already booked in its own country on Hibernian (6-3), Paok Saloniki (2-1) and KV Mechelen (3-2) and was played against Aarhus (1-1). In the background, the management is now being tinkered with the selection. For example, Ajax is in outline with the Israeli playmaker Oscar Gloukh, but a definitive agreement has to be reached with his club Red Bull Salzburg.
Ajax in outline with Oscar Gloukh
Transfer
In the meantime, Jorrel Hato hopes to be able to make a dream transfer to Chelsea, but then the London bid will have to meet the wishes of Ajax. The club wants 55 to 60 million euros for the talented defender. If the transfer continues, Ajax will undoubtedly also go on the market. So exciting weeks are still waiting in Amsterdam.
Ajax requires between 55 and 60 million euros for Jorrel Hato
Hato was not in the match selection against Celtic because of in advance agreements made. Heitinga had Giuseppe Sinigaglia Youri Baas form a central duo with Bouwman in the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Baas stadio. Anton Gaaei and Owen Wijndal flanked them as backs, while Youri Regeer stood next to Jorthy Mokio in midfield. Davy Klaassen, as so often in the past, acted as number 10. The Ajax fans who had traveled along could see Raúl Moro as left winger. Striker Brian Brobbey and Steven Berghuis Right winger completed the attack.
Celtic stronger, but Ajax strikes
Ajax was overwhelmed by Celtic in the initial phase, which had left the competition behind the Scottish Premier League at a great distance last season. Already in the fourth minute the South Korean Yang Hyun-Jun hit the bar, after which the new Ajax goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros had an impressive reflex at the rebound. The Czech rented from Liverpool makes a good impression so far in the preparation.
After a strong Scottish quarter, the first Ajax option was immediately hit. After a smooth attack on the left, a cross from Wijndal ended up at Brobbey. He did not take the ball well, but did give it to Berghuis, who with a placed shot aimed with the left with the left in the far corner: 1-0. Yet the game image did not change after this opening goal. Celtic continued to bombard Ajax with fast counters, in which the Amsterdammers looked quite vulnerable. The 1-1 of Hyun-Jun in the 21one Minute at one of those outbreaks did not come as a surprise.
Klaassen again important
After more than half an hour, when Ajax got into the match a little better, Celtic hit the bar again. This time via striker Adam Idah. At the start of the second half, Mika Godts came to Moro’s team and the Belgian showed himself within a minute. His shot was turned by Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel, but the rebound was a prey for Klaassen, which was once again in the right place.
With his second goal of the evening, Berghuis, who took advantage of the attention of Klaassen, threw the game in the end. Although the second half of Ajax was not flashy either, the Heitinga team did not really get into trouble anymore. In fact, Bouwman did a penny in the bag with a blistering long shot, which struck in through the bottom of the bar. The final chord was up to Rayane Bounida, who showed what he can do with his golden left: 5-1. Smetje In the evening was the dropout of Godts with an injury.
Final against Como
Due to the large victory, Ajax awaits the final of the Como Cup against the host Como on Sunday, which already dealt with the Saudi Al-Ahli on Thursday. That competition is at 8 p.m. A week later, Ajax closes the preparation with a friendly match against AS Monaco in the Johan Cruijff Arena (Sunday 3 August, 2 p.m.).