22 Nov 2011: Olympique Lyonnais - Ajax

[Cedric]

It's not that bad so far. But Ebecilio is the weakest link.

[Orange14]

Damn good defending and it may be the best defensive half we have played all season long! Why oh why can we not do this in the league; we would be on top of the table with this kind of effort. Nice job creating some chances as well though Ebecilio needs to bring his shot down by about 10 meters. Looked like he was going to kick it out of the stadium. It's going to require the same mental effort in the 2nd half to maintain the clean sheet. BTW, kudos to Vermeer for some excellent saves and pretty decent kicking.

[Van basten]

Good first half performance. Better than i could expect. Hope Eriksen, Lodeiro, Mickey and Ebecillo will have their chances on counter attacks.

[#14]

should have gotten something out of that attack.

meanwhile, 5-0 in spain....

[Amol]

Blind for VD Wiel? I guess Anita moves to the right now.

[#14]

now 6-0

what is the mercy rule?

[Amol]

now 6-0

what is the mercy rule?

In my books you should never cross 5-0. Except of course it is F-word, PSV, ManUre or Madrid at the other end

[Flipster81]

Klaassen and Lukoki for Ebecilio and Lodeiro for the last 5 minutes

[Jojo]

We need some fresh legs...

[Amol]

That's it boys!!! Final whistle has been blown.

[#14]

7 goals separate Ajax from the knockout stage....

[Venezuelan Ajacied]

Well done !

[bluedaddy19]

well, that was about as fun as a 0-0 game can get and i would have gladly taken a point before the game started

good effort tonight, boys!

[kezme44]

great result

[Van basten]

Fuck yeah!!! We're 80% in next round. Vermeer you are fu*king unbeliavable! Two terrible games in Eredivisie and now you play 'mega' match in most important game this season so far. Bravo! MOtM - Vetonghen edit: with Vermeer of course

[Amol]

Fuck yeah!!! We're 80% in next round. Vermeer you are fu*king unbeliavable! Two terrible games in Eredivisie and now you play 'mega' match in most important game this season so far. Bravo! MOtM - Vetonghen.

Vermeer for CL/EL & Cillisen for Eredivisie . Vermeer had a monster game today.

[Orange14]

What a massive match from Vermeer, Vertonghen, and Alderweireld. Almost as good as the old Juventus central core defense of some years ago. They did everything asked of them and more. No adventurous corners or set pieces. It's times like this that I get so frustrated thinking if only they could do this in the league! The match was pretty even with both teams getting some decent chances to score. lloris was great in goal for Lyon tonight as well.

Vermeer - MOTM no questions asked and one really wonders why he had two off matches in a row. Van der Wiel was solid on defense and offense and it wasn't clear why he was subbed off for Blind late in the 2nd half. Nothing more to say about our two Belgian defenders other than to say that they looked very Italian tonight! Anita was solid for most of the match though he did get beat after he moved over to the right side. Blind managed to cover up for his deficiencies and kept his head, knowing when to belt the ball into touch. Enoh was solid and I think it was a fair challenge on Ederson in the box; good no call by the match official. Eriksen was very good creating some dangerous possibilities and controlling the ball well. Janssen managed to do a good job despite his speed; kudos to him. Sulejmani worked his ass off on both ends of the field and it was a good save that kept his breakaway out of the net. Lodeiro was decent and did what he needed to do. Ebecilio was the weakest player on the pitch and had some stupid give aways. Klassen and Lukoki came on late and didn't screw things up.

Proud to be an Ajacied fan today!!

[Flipster81]

I am also proud of the boys tonight and want to say thanks to the 4 lions that were playing their socks off, Vertonghen, Aderweireld, Vermeer and Enoh I salute you!

All the other guys played well apart from Ebecilio who was poor today. He needs to get back to his form when he first came through, because right now he looks like the 'Billy Big Boots' all reputation and no production.

[souras84]

I read that VdW trained on his own yesterday cause of a minor injury. So it may be this why he got subbed

[SPL]

A great result and as enjoyable as a 0-0 can get especially 2nd half. Vermeer came good today and the defence was solid.

PS I only just made the game as my 22 year old son ruptured his achilles playing Squash and had an Operation this afternoon.He is ok ,but that was as mega stressful as it gets being a Dad so at least Ajax getting a draw has cheered me up.

[souras84]

don't forget the stress of watching Ajax trying to avoid a goal. I hope the kid gets a quick recovery

[Manneken Pis]

I seem to remember a similar game a few years ago in Lyon where were also given zero chance of winning. That night the Ajax players played their heart and everything else out and we ended up winning 2 - 0.

Play with pride and hunger and you never know the gods may smile on us again.

Still, I'd give Vemeer a "rest".
His confidence is shot, and I'm afraid he'll make a howler (or two) in the high pressure environment of the CL.

And that's why I'm a fan and not a manager ......

Great performance tonight all round, but especially Vemeer at the end...

[souras84]

So who are the Top teams we are going against???

[Van basten]

So who are the Top teams we are going against???

I prefer Apoel FC

[Orange14]

So who are the Top teams we are going against???

Let's not count any chickens until they hatch after the last match day. Madrid are capable of putting a lot of goals in our net and even though Lyon travel to Zagreb, anything can happen.