21 OCT 2014 Barcelona-Ajax CL Match Day #3

[Orange14]

Fresh off yesterday's draw a trip to the Nou Camp awaits. Will there be Ajax magic as we continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our last big trophy?

[aveslacker]

I think we can get a result here. Call me an irrational optimist, but I think it's possible.

[Orange14]

I think we can get a result here. Call me an irrational optimist, but I think it's possible.

I go into each match expecting a victory. Of course I end up disappointed a lot but still if one doesn't have faith, why watch the match!!

[Tom_]

Looking forward to it! There's obviously quite a gulf in quality but our style works better against Barcelona than it does against, say, PEC Zwolle's 10-man defense...

[SPL]

Current form suggests an easy Barca win but I would not be surprised if we came away with a draw or even a shock win.

[Orange14]

Selection for tomorrow:

Ricardo van Rhijn
Joël Veltman
Niklas Moisander
Mike van der Hoorn
Lerin Duarte
Kolbeinn Sigthórsson
Davy Klaassen
Ricardo Kishna
Jairo Riedewald
Lucas Andersen
Arek Milik
Lasse Schöne
Anwar El Ghazi
Jasper Cillessen
Stefano Denswil
Nick Viergever
Niki Zimling
Diederik Boer
Queensy Menig

Menig & Riedewald replace Boilesen and Serero who are out injured.

[Ayman]

Finally Andersen deployed in midfield. Im still not happy (like most of you) with sigthorsson playing as our number 9, he lacks control, he isnt good with his back to goal, he isnt a technical striker, and is too inconsistent, always missing one sitter after another.

[souras84]

I felt really ashamed today, while listening to a Greek sports radio, they mentioned the betting odds for the game. Ajax's win had the highest among ALL the European games (Tuesday-Thursday). 19.5!!!!! Even Maribor had less (15)

[Orange14]

I felt really ashamed today, while listening to a Greek sports radio, they mentioned the betting odds for the game. Ajax's win had the highest among ALL the European games (Tuesday-Thursday). 19.5!!!!! Even Maribor had less (15)

You have a chance to win a lot of money!!!! Forza Ajax.

[Cruijff]

I felt really ashamed today, while listening to a Greek sports radio, they mentioned the betting odds for the game. Ajax's win had the highest among ALL the European games (Tuesday-Thursday). 19.5!!!!! Even Maribor had less (15)

We should punish that by putting a bet on a result.

Just put 10 on a draw and 25 on a win for Ajax and let's see how it works out!

[Philippe]

I felt really ashamed today, while listening to a Greek sports radio, they mentioned the betting odds for the game. Ajax's win had the highest among ALL the European games (Tuesday-Thursday). 19.5!!!!! Even Maribor had less (15)

It has reached 25 / 1 in France, with 9 / 1 for a draw. Just placed a bet.

The reason IMO for this is that another result than a win for Barcelona would mean very little chance for them to finish on top of the group, and even a risk of being eliminated. The UEFA would not allow that. Nevertheless let's shock them !

By the way, I also hope that Qatar St-Germain has a hard time in Cyprus.

[Cruijff]

After less than 3 minutes it's 0-1 for Ajax A1, scored by El Idrissi.

[Tom_]

Missed the start. Andersen–Zimling–Klaassen?

[saddlerian]

Exactly the same as Man Utd last night......2 GLARING defensive errors, 2 goals....only difference is that there are 65 minutes left in Barcelona!!!

[Tom_]

Well this is fun

[Orange14]

First goal was magic from Barca. 2nd goal was a terrible pass out by Zimling and Barca should have had at least one more. Defense is actually semi-good given the level of the attackers they are facing. Trouble is Barca are twice as quick as Ajax both on offense and pressing. I saw one good string of passes by Ajax when they spread the field but that was about it.

[SPL]

men v boys in the first half.Just hope to contain them

[Orange14]

men v boys in the first half.Just hope to contain them

Exactly right. This shows what lots of €s can do to build up a team. I don't see much changing until the next group of youth players from our academy come up to the senior team. We are just too slow and predictable.

[zeux]

Trouble is Barca are twice as quick as Ajax both on offense and pressing.

You saw that with the goals. Lightning quick passing. They didn't stand a chance.

[saddlerian]

Good substitution at Half Time...Kishna definitely has an attitude problem!!! get it sorted Frank!!!

[SPL]

Well we did ok in the end thanks to their 3 world class players being subbed . Nice to get a goal and sorry we let
in that 3rd at the death.A much better 2nd half by us. Riedewald certainly did a lot better than Zimling . But for Boilesen being injured he would have been playing for the U 19's this afternoon.

[Orange14]

Ajax faced the team they need to aspire to emulate. Quick passing, cutting to open space, and pressure each time the ball is turned over. Ajax are deficient in all three categories which is why they struggle in the Eredivisie and will continue to do poorly in CL football. Maybe Nouri and the other new generation coming up through the youth can effect this change but this present Ajax squad cannot. Unfortunate to concede the third goal but again a turnover led to it otherwise it would have been respectable as they played better in the second half.

Player Ratings:

Cillessen (6) - no chance on the first two goals and I guess he had the right position on the third as Sandro was in on goal
Viergever (5.5) - above average
Mosander (6.5) - defended well but had to hang back to defend so no offensive movement at all
Veltman (6) - bad challenge on Neymar but generally one of the better Ajax players
van Rhijn (5.5) - made some good plays defending against world class talent, less successful on offense
Zimling (3) - 2nd goal his fault and poor on the first one as well
Andersen (5.5) - decent enough tonight and his teammates didn't create many open passing lanes
Klaassen (5) - worked very hard on defense but did little offensively other than missing the one shot he had
Kishna (5) - average performance before coming off; can he ever play 90 minutes?
Sigthorrsson (3.5) - I saw maybe one ball that he controlled, very poor match
Schöne (5.5) - game is too fast for him at this level
Riedewald (5) - clumsy challenge deserved the Yellow card
Milik (6) - good ball control and deserves the starting nod at #9
el Ghazi (5) - right place at the right time to score

If FdB starts Sigthorrsson this weekend it will be anti-football and I will be disgusted with him and the first to call for his resignation. Maybe Schöne needs to slot back at DM and let el Ghazi and Kishna start the match. This team needs to score goals and the current lineup is not going to do it.

[Tom_]

Massively unenjoyable match for me. We were flattered by 3–1 let alone 2–1. On the positives—it was nice to see Riedewald again, and since this is one of the weakest Ajax squads that I remember, we shouldn't stay this bad for ever...

[aveslacker]

I think we can get a result here. Call me an irrational optimist, but I think it's possible.

Never mind ...

[King Litti]

One of the most difficult fixtures imaginable. There wasn't much chance. Still we were able to make a game of it in the second.

it was nice to see Riedewald again

Really was. Knowing his age and inexperience he played with a lot of confidence against Barca at camp nou! Good technique and wasn't shy going in for physical duels. Excelent work on the goal also. Like to see more of him. Thought he would be a left defender but showed a lot of promise in that DMF role we have had trouble with.