27 FEB 2020; Ajax-Getafe; Europa League

[Orange14]

Ajax have to make up a two goal deficit and cannot risk conceding an away goal to the Spanish visitors. Tagliafico is suspended for the match which presents ETH with a significant problem regarding who to play at LB. Dest or Mazraoui are the logical choices but Mazraoui was injured last Monday in a Jong Ajax game and it's not clear whether he is available. Martinez might slide out there from MF with Eiting coming in to join van de Beek and Ziyech in MF. Ajax have to figure out a way to solve the pressure defending and get more than one shot on frame. Expect to see lots of time wasting and diving from the Spaniards. Match officials have not been assigned yet and I hope we get a better CR than the Frenchman who officiated last Thursday.

[kezme44]

the ref will be greek. he’s been freely dishing out yellow and reds in some recent matches. we shall see.

[souras84]

Is it Sidiropoulos?

[kezme44]

Is it Sidiropoulos?

yup

[souras84]

Yeah, I know this guy. He's indeed a ref that uses his cards a lot. Makes mistakes too, but what referee doesn't? I guess UEFA appointed him after what they saw on Thursday

[Orange14]

More bad news, Ziyech will miss tomorrow's match because of his ongoing calf injury. ETH said he doesn't want to take a chance given the upcoming game against AZ on Sunday. Promes returns to the selection but it's not clear whether he starts. Tagliafico is suspended and Mazraoui and Neres are also out. It will take a real effort from the rest of the players to get a result.

[Amol]

More bad news, Ziyech will miss tomorrow's match because of his ongoing calf injury. ETH said he doesn't want to take a chance given the upcoming game against AZ on Sunday. Promes returns to the selection but it's not clear whether he starts. Tagliafico is suspended and Mazraoui and Neres are also out. It will take a real effort from the rest of the players to get a result.

How do we solve the LB riddle? Do we push Blind/Martinez to LB OR put Castillo in there?

Ziyech wasn't ready to play anyway last week. I'd rather have a fit 'soemone else' than an unfit and out of sorts Ziyech. I vote for a MF of Blind - Eiting - Donny (#10).

Martinez has played at LCB a lot this year - let him play there. We're having trouble moving the ball through the mid field and need the trio I mentioned earlier.

With Promes back, play Promes at LW, Tadic at CF and Traore/Babel at RW. If Promes is not 100%, then Tadic at CF, Traore at RW and Babel at LW.

[Amol]

We have nothing to lose. In a packed JC Arena, we need to get lucky and get an early goal. That will set the cat amongst the pigeons.

Hopefully the Greek ref brings his cards and doesn't let us see theater acting which we saw last Thursday.

Getafe lost 3-0 to Sevilla over the weekend and must be thinking of that result as well.

[Tom_]

I can’t watch because of flipping meetings all day. I’ll keep an eye on the score and try to find the replay later.

[Amol]

For once - stars have aligned and my last meeting gets over right before the game starts.

I'm hoping for a 3-0 tonight.

[kezme44]

anyone in the us showing the game?

[Amol]

Squad for tonight -
Onana;
Dest; Schuurs, Martínez, Blind;
Gravenberch, Van de Beek, Eiting;
Danilo, Tadic, Babel

I like Tadic in the middle. We needed Eiting last week - glad he's starting. I hope Gravenberch makes quick decisions and doesn't give up the ball too easily today.

[Amol]

anyone in the us showing the game?

Orange14 and I have been using BR Live for watching CL and EL games. It's $2.99/game and the quality is really good.

https://live.bleacherreport.com/

[kezme44]

anyone in the us showing the game?

Orange14 and I have been using BR Live for watching CL and EL games. It's $2.99/game and the quality is really good.

https://live.bleacherreport.com/

thank you!

[Tom_]

Do they do full replays on demand? I’m watching EL on the Dutch provider but they only have live matches + highlights.

[Amol]

Do they do full replays on demand? I’m watching EL on the Dutch provider but they only have live matches + highlights.

Yeah full match replays are available for the games which you purchased. I just re-played one of last year's CL games.

[Tom_]

Thanks - will check it out later and see if it lets me buy one retrospectively

[kezme44]

and that's it

[Manneken Pis]

Ref's been quite good so far...

[Orange14]

Bad mistake by Martinez who is not having a good game concedes the away goal. Ajax will need to have someone sent off in order to get back into this game. Promes probably on for the second half but for which winger. Why did Danilo exchange shirts at the half? Maybe he comes off?

[Manneken Pis]

Ref's been quite good so far...

Ajax, less so...

[Amol]

2-1!!!

30 minutes to go boys. 2 more needed. Lets go!!!!

[Amol]

I have no idea how we have only given up 1 goal so far. 3 balls off the posts and bar so far. This is nuts.

[Amol]

Out of Europe by the end of Feb. We gave up 2 dumb goals and you can't do that at this level. We were lucky to still be in the contest towards the end as they had 3 hits which went off the woodwork.

We were doing great in Fall, but UEFA decided to gift our game away to Chelsea. Injuries and loss of hope since that game is the reason why we are where we are.

Big rebuild coming up in the summer. Take deep breaths everyone and lets get the other 2 prizes still on offer.

[Orange14]

Everything has gone downhill since the robbery at Stamford Bridge. Ajax were not good enough on the night, giving up a cheap goal early on and then needing 3 goals to win the tie. Ajax played hard but passes did not connect and quite frankly there is not enough creativity in the team that started this match. Greek CR didn't put up with any nonsense and called a good match.

Out of Europe and shaky in the league, Ajax will have a lot to play for in the league. AZ dropped their match today 2-0 and are also out now.

Player Ratings:

Goal Post (10) - three great saves to keep Ajax in the match
Onana (5.5) - all over the pitch trying to calm down players but caught out of position several times
Blind (5.5) - one bad mistake but did recover and got a head on an open goal shot to save one
Martinez (4.5) - poor defending on the goal and not much better as the game went on
Schuurs (5.5) - shade above average
Dest (6) - one of the better games
Eiting (6) - very nice free kick but didn't force the game much
Gravenberch (4.5) - unimpressive match
van de Beek (6)- ran hard all match long but couldn't get much done against a stifling defense
Babel (4.5) - not as many bad touches today but that's only faint praise
Tadic (5) - just not the same jubilation as last year
Danilo (5) - got a goal on a tap in and that was his total contribution
Promes (6) - good to seem him back in the line up, he has been missed
Huntelaar (NR) - on late and picked up a YC

AZ coming up Sunday and Ajax need both Promes and Ziyech on the pitch if they hope to get a result.