Ajaxtalk

Ajax travel to Venlo this Saturday to take on VVV ahead of the first match against APOEL in the CL Playoff Round. ten Hag still has a dysfunctional MF and it's not clear whether Mazraoui or Marin is a better partner for Blind. Experimentation will continue. Will we see the debut of Edson Alvarez? Ajax would not have paid the level of money if they didn't think he would fit into the team's plans.

If/when Alvarez joins the starters, we'll have a 4/5 spanish speaking defense line.

------------------------------ Onana --------------------------------

(non spanish speaking) RB - Alvarez - Martinez - Tagliafico

maybe we should consider teaching spanish to our RB

as for the Blind partner... That will be the make or break of the season!

Changes from those who started v PAOK ,Dest ,Schuurs and Promes starting.Veltman Neres subs and Mazraoui injured.

tight first half as VVV are packing everyone back and keeping passing spaces very narrow. Ajax had a couple of half chances on long balls for Promes and Dest but couldn't covert. Ziyech did well on the goal getting up from the ground and into position for the pass from Ziyech. Schuurs has been playing well except for the one bad give away. Two silly YCs for Martinez and van de Beek.

Match announcer said Ajax's match against Fortuna Sittard scheduled for next week will be pushed back so Ajax have more rest time between the CL qualifiers.

Watched all the game but had no spare computer to post.Well I dont have a smart phone ,one of the few people on the planet who can do without!!

Once Ziyech got a goal and we got a quick 2nd in the 2nd half it was a very easy afternoon although again we let the other side score a late goal as we take our foot off the pedal.Picked up an injury with Promes and maybe Ziyech ,is that down to artificial pitch.At this level you should play on grass,if Heracles dont like it they can go down to Kitchen division.

Still not sure about Schuurs but Martinez impresses and Alvarez looked comfortable on the ball. Although very simple my favourite scored again .All our great kids ,especially last season,but I still love KJH.

Onana lost his clean sheet late in the match off a rather slow shot that was hit across to the far side of the goal. Almost a repeat of the Ziyech goal that opened the scoring for Ajax. Ajax were rather quiet in the first half and then put three more into the net in the 2nd half. With 74% of possession and quality shots, Ajax dominated the match. The defense did a decent job with better spacing between the MF and back four. Let's hope that the players are finally figuring things out. Off to Cyprus for the first match in the playoff round for a CL group spot. Ajax ought to be favored but it was only a couple of years ago that APOEL surprised a lot people. Can't take anything for granted.

Player Ratings:

Onana (6.5) - two good saves early in the 2nd half after nothing to do in the first; disappointed not to have saved the goal
Tagliafico (7) - really fine match and an strong offensive performance
Martinez (5.5) - not a strong performance and knew he was beaten when he took a YC
Schuurs (6.5) - have to take a half point off for the horrible give away in the first half
Dest (7) - very good on the day in all parts of the game, nice take down of a long pass but too close to the keeper to get a shot off
Blind (7) - strong passing game again and moved to center back with 20 minutes to go
Marin (7) - looked much better in terms of his spacing and ball control
van de Beek (6) - few touches and hardly an impact
Promes (6) - looked lively before suffering a foot injury and had to come off
Tadic (7) - so good in tight spaces with the ball it's not even funny; cool PK for the game winner
Ziyech (6.5) - got a nice goal near the end of the first half but his passing was a bit off
Neres (6.5) - came on for Promes and was popping up all over the pitch
Huntelaar (6.5) - super sub scores again
Alvarez (6) - slotted right into the MF and delivered some smooth passing

Ajax get next weekend off courtesy of the FA so they can prepare for the second match against APOEL.