17 AUG 2017 Ajax - Rosenborg EL Qualifying Round

[Orange14]

After the double disappointment of dropping out of the Champions League and losing their first league match, Ajax entertain Norwegian side Rosenborg to see if they can make it to the group stage of the lesser competition. The situation with Sanchez is still unsettled and he could very likely leave the club this week. Overmars has money to spend but is it too late to bring in the necessary players?

I'll likely miss this match as I have some other things scheduled so there won't be any player ratings.

[SPL]

Squad of 19 and Sanchez is included with Dankerlui standing by in case he drops out. Sums up our problems in defence with Dankerlui in the squad.

[Cruijff]

This is perhaps our most important game since the one against Dynamo Kiev in August 2010 or that historic one against Twente directly for the title on May 2011.

So to get in the mood for this:
Ajax - FC Twente fantastische slow-motion beelden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BIZ9y8lRN0

Ajax - Dynamo Kiev what a goal by Suárez!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBEbTuhOOcQ

[Cruijff]

I have by the way a spare ticket for the match, so if one of you is nearby Amsterdam just let me know!

[Orange14]

I have by the way a spare ticket for the match, so if one of you is nearby Amsterdam just let me know!

It's a little too late, I just loaned our jet out to a neighbor who has to fly to California for business!!

[kezme44]

sanchez didn't show up at the team hotel this morning. the club has to start getting tough. how can a 21-year old punk think he can get away with this. either we sell him to the highest bidder and I don't give a crap if he wants to go to tottenham and has agree personal terms with them or we let him play a few years with jong ajax and then he can find a big club to take him. we paid 5 million and I'm happy with that scenario.

[Amol]

I remember reading somewhere that Pochettino has spoken with Sanchez. If that's true, we should totally report Tottenham for poaching, if that's still a thing.

[SPL]

Neres for Kluivert the only change in our starting line up.

I am not convinced we will win tonight and fear we will be Ko'd . Overmars has not bought in any replacements other than V Leer and KJH . We now have just 4 defenders of whom Diks is only there because Overmars wont buy another LB . The new Colombian doesn't yet have a work permit and Viergever is unhappy as Overmars wont offer a new contract and wont sell him.

Back to tonight crcifree shows streams so hope to get a decent stream.. Think de Jong should start in place of Schone


ps If we get Ko'd from Europe next week dont bet on Dolberg or Ziyech staying .

[saddlerian]

sanchez didn't show up at the team hotel this morning. the club has to start getting tough. how can a 21-year old punk think he can get away with this. either we sell him to the highest bidder and I don't give a crap if he wants to go to tottenham and has agree personal terms with them or we let him play a few years with jong ajax and then he can find a big club to take him. we paid 5 million and I'm happy with that scenario.

It's about time that clubs got tough with players...let Ajax be the club that shows that example! OK, he cost 5million, and undeed could bring the club may more millions, but wouldn't it be a good example for football if he was allowed to "rot" in Jong Ajax...even if only for a few months? He has signed a contract, a contract that could not be challenged in law...either the toe-rag follows the rules, and asks politely, or he rots.....maybe he, and the rest of the "primadonnas" in football might learn!!! Such a pity...he could have learned so much from another season at Ajax!!

[Ayman]

Rosenborg are a tricky side, I remember they drew 1-1 away to Chelsea back in 2007 CL

[Amol]

It seems our boys are having a hard time seeing the goal.

[Orange14]

Ajax were more than decent working the ball into the attacking zone but just couldn't come up with the goals. Rosenborg appear only to be dangerous if Ajax make mistakes. de Ligt missed the switch early on and Veltman had a great save on the line. van de Beek with a soft pass put Onana in danger.

[souras84]

Why do I see us conceding first?

[saddlerian]

Very impressed with the left side of our attack...but why, oh why, do Schone and Ziyech insist on trying to go through the middle? Dolberg has done nothing, so far...de Beek being the most attacking player...a few good touches from Neres...but must work even harder!! Maybe de Jong is the man to push from the middle??

[Ayman]

you've got to be kidding me 0-1??

[Amol]

That just sums it up, doesn't it?

[SPL]

This is just dreadful to watch .

[Tom_]

This sucks, but... you can't go into Europe with this defense and no #6.

[Ayman]

He is keeping Schone on the field for too long, he can't play for past 60 minutes, Frenkie should have been on ages ago.

[saddlerian]

What a disaster...AGAIN!!!! Four matches played...2 draws, 2 losses....again, the first ten minutes was all out effort, quick into the tackle...but it seems that the ghost of FDB is somewhere around as the lack of confidence, or quality, is beginning to show...ALREADY!!!

"Every little thing's gonna be alright......

[SPL]

Utter rubbish and I end up with a poor stream which gives me a virus.Dont expect us to do anything in Norway and not sure I can be bothered to watch.

Overmars has completely stuffed the club selling off all the back up , not buying anyone and we have 4 defenders tonight who are not good enough plus Schone gets 90 mins when he is not good enough for 60.

Will Keizer last to Christmas if we drop more points in the league

[Orange14]

Maybe one of these days the soccer gods will smile upon Ajax and the ball will go in the back of the net. It wasn't to be this evening despite Ajax doing a very credible job of breaking down Rosenborg and creating opportunities. Younes had a top notch game with a couple of shots on goal and some very good moves to beat his man to the goal line. Ajax made three blunders and were punished on one of them for the game winner. Veltman was too far inside and when he could not make a play on the ball, the Rosenborg attacker was in free on goal. Ajax are in a hole now for the return match and can expect even more packing things in.

The one salvation is that Ajax are defending corners and free kicks very well.

Player Ratings:

Onana (6.5) - he had no chance but to come out and try to cut down the angle on the goal but couldn't do it
Dijks (6.5) - more than a decent game tonight with some very good runs up the flank, maybe his crosses should have been a touch higher
Viergever (7) - didn't see much wrong with his game
de Ligt (7) - a couple of chances to score but the downward header was too strong and it went over the post
Veltman (5) - great clearance off the line was cancelled out by a goof that gave up the winner
Schöne (5) - totally out of gas the last 20 minutes and did not do much during the previous 70
van de Beek (6.5) - a weak pass led to a dangerous give away but he was working hard to try to score at the other end
Younes (7.5) - just a great match and constant pressuring on defense
Dolberg (4) - missing in action all game long
Neres (6) - prefer him to Kluivert as he's not afraid to pass when he knows there is no other option
Kluivert (5.5) - needs to look to other ways besides beating his man to create danger
Huntelaar (5.5) - on for the final 25 minutes but didn't do much at all

Home opener in the league against Groningen and then Rosenborg coming up on MY birthday, next Thursday. Perhaps the club will give me a present with a resounding win!!

[Orange14]

Will Keizer last to Christmas if we drop more points in the league

Not sure that it's Keizer's fault. I've not seen this club move the ball around in the offensive end like this since Eriksen left.

[Tom_]

It's true they moved the ball quickly in the first half. Mostly through the centre of the pitch, which is nice to see. Rosenberg was very defensive, 4-5-1 I think, and Ajax didn't quite manage to break through.

But this (incomplete) squad is just not going to be competitive I'm afraid. We'll see!

[SPL]

No its not Keizer's fault ,just wondering what might happen if we continue to drop points. Blame down to Overmars and the Board.