23 Jan 2025; Rigas Futbola - Ajax; Europa League Group #7

[Orange14]

Penultimate match of the Europa League preliminary stage against a Latvian team I know nothing about. They lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv who Ajax handled with easy. On the other hand, they drew with both Galatasary and Anderlecht.

[Amol]

Baas at LB and Gaaei playing RB. Rugani slots in at LCB. This (in theory) should work out today.

Maybe we'll see Alders at some point in the game.

[Tom_]

Miserable half of football. They need a penalty or something otherwise it’s going to be 0-0.

[SPL]

A poor 45 mins of football, We only created the real 1 chance by Fitz-Jim at the end and not much else.They are defending very well. Traore loses the ball every time ,Berghuis to come on.

[Amol]

We seem to be pushing much harder in the 2nd half. Field has been terrible and RFS has been making these small fouls to disrupt our play.

Weghorst and Berghuis now on.

[Amol]

We just gave up a stupid goal in the 79th minute.

[Tom_]

Omg. I’ve got better things to do than watch these losers embarrass the club. Riga on their way to their first win in Europe in 12 games.

[Amol]

This field truly is downright atrocious. Fitz Jim had a chance from just outside the 6 yard box and somehow skied it in after his foot got stuck in the turf.

[SPL]

A woeful performance this shower are not worthy of wearing our shirt. Rugani backtracking allows the goal.The subs are all weaker Akpom Rasmussen did not touch the ball.

I would rather watch our kids than this overpaid rubbish.We will lost to Galatasary next week and be out of Europe.

[Orange14]

I cannot say this was a surprising result given Rigas played tough at home against both Anderlecht and Galatasary. However, Ajax players totally misread how bad the pitch was, particularly after it was chewed up during the first half. It was not a quick surface and too many Ajax passes were just bad. Ajax had a couple of decent chances but the offsides whistle negated the one that they put into the net. Rigas didn't even have a shot on goal until Fitz-Jim made the mistake that lost the match. They had a second shot late that was well saved by Pasveer. Defensively, the team played well and kept Rigas from having any real chances on goal. They created a number of turnovers but those did not lead to any attacks. Three straight losses in this competition and given current form they don't deserve to go on. Farioli put the best 11 out on the field but they could not get it done. The club have the weekend off and face Galatasary in the final Europa match next Thursday and likely need a win to make the playoff round as they are eliminated from a top eight finish.

AWFUL!!!

Player Ratings:

Pasveer (6) - nothing to do all game until he had to make a late save
Gaaei (6) - decent enough and had a couple of good interventions
Sutalo (6.5) - decent enough
Rugani (6.5) - same as Sutalo
Baas (6) - better than average
Henderson (5) - one of those whose passing was just bad
Taylor (6) - better than average
Fitz-Jim (4.5) - good first half but awful in the 2nd with some very poor passing including the bad give away that lost the game
Traore (4.5) - wasteful play all game long
Brobbey (6) - constantly mugged and should have had a couple of more calls in his favor
Godts (6)- decent on the ball but Rigas were not giving him any space to attack
Weghorst (5.5) - worked hard but just had the one soft header
Berghuis (5) - average and does not deserve a new contract
Akpom (5) - maybe had one chance
van den Boomen (NR) - fortunately for Ajax he drew a YC and is suspended for the next match
Rassmussen (NR) - on late

[Van basten]

We will lost to Galatasary next week and be out of Europe.

No. Even if we lose that game, we won't fall out of top 24.

[Orange14]

We will lost to Galatasary next week and be out of Europe.

No. Even if we lose that game, we won't fall out of top 24.

Correct, all they are playing for is whether they are a seeded team for the playoff round. I should have noted in the match summary that after seeing the condition of the pitch, this game would either be scoreless or some team would score a goal that would win it. Unfortunately, Ajax made the mistake and on offense other than one or two plays could not create any chances.

[SPL]

Thanks for correcting me Van basten .I was in a very negative mood last night.

Of the 7 attackers used only Godts gets credit but he did not get space.Akpom as winger,Berghuis Rasmussen and Traore were woeful.Weghorst is a decent pinch hitter but only got 1 chance. So to Brobbey well he is strong holds the ball up but spends most of the time with his back to goal.Maybe his goal drought will end v Feyenoord.Maybe West Ham will offer 30m, as they are interested.

Only 3 real chances and all fell to F-Jim , the one he put in the net was off side but that chance at the end should have been buried.

It was a terrible pitch but that was as bad as I have seen Ajax and they were playing one of the worst teams in the comp.

[SPL]

Just read all the Dutch posters on this site , none have a good word for last night including the coach. Agree with all their negative comments.

[Tom_]

I actually switched it off as soon as Riga scored. I can’t remember the last time I did that in an Ajax match.

Hope that’s as bad is it gets, and on to the next one