Ajax has failed to take the lead from AZ. The team from Amsterdam played a disappointing draw at home against Go Ahead Eagles, 1-1. As a result, the Alkmaarders remain the leader until at least tomorrow afternoon.
As part of the busy program up to the World Cup, Alfred Schreuder already announced that he would rotate. That resulted in four changes in the starting line-up against Go Ahead Eagles compared to AZ. Novices Florian Grillitsch and Lucas Ocampos were allowed to start, as were Brian Brobbey and Davy Klaassen. The first pinprick of the team from Amsterdam came from the foot of Dusan Tadic. His shot curled just wide of the post. During the remainder of the first half, Ajax had few great opportunities. Brobbey, for example, was free at a corner, but his header lacked power.
Devyne Rensch was dangerous twice. Both attempts were reversed. As a result, the halftime score seemed to be 0-0, but Klaassen thought otherwise. ‘Mister 1-0’ Klaassen broke the spell for the team from Amsterdam against Go Ahead. That was for the 24e times in his career at Ajax and there was another great milestone. The midfielder was thus involved in his 100th goal (67 goals and 33 assists). Only Luis Suárez, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Tadic succeeded in this century for Ajax.
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After the break Ajax quickly tried to secure the victory. The goal area of Go Ahead was mostly surrounded, but it did not lead to goals. A shot by Ocampos went just wide. Shortly before that, there was already a VAR moment, after Kenneth Taylor was knocked out by Evert Linthorst. The video referee looked at the footage and saw no penalty in it. Kenneth Taylor lashed out after a ball was laid out for him. Goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange was able to turn. As a result, the margin remained small and the people of Deventer lurked for a counter.
Merciless counter
It came in the 78e minute and the visitors struck hard. Willum Willumsson shot in a cross from substitute Finn Stokkers: 1-1. Partly due to PSV’s loss of points, Ajax had to force something and Schreuder made an attacking change. Lorenzo Lucca, Steven Berghuis and Mohammed Kudus joined the squad. The score was no longer influenced, so that Ajax again achieved a disappointing result. Despite a great chance from Tadic, who was tapped just wide.
Due to the draw, Ajax remains in second place behind AZ, which has one point more. Next Tuesday, Napoli will visit in the Champions League. Kick-off is 9:00 PM.
Ajax setup: feather; Rensch, Timber (Lucca/83), Bassey, Blind; Grillitsch (Álvarez/63), Taylor, Klaassen (Berghuis/83); Ocampos (Mountain Wine/63), Brobbey (Kudus/83), Tadic