4 APR 2021; Heerenveen - Ajax; Match Day 27

[Orange14]

Things pick up again for Ajax following the international break with an away match at Heerenveen. Ajax are 11 points ahead of PSV and Alkmaar who are even on points. Blind was hurt against Gibraltar in a WC qualifier thanks to Frank de Boer's stupidity of playing three times in the space of a week. Jurrien Timber returns to the team after missing several matches. Roma come up next Thursday in the Europa league.

[GangstaRiB]

Things pick up again for Ajax following the international break with an away match at Heerenveen. Ajax are 11 points ahead of PSV and Alkmaar who are even on points. Blind was hurt against Gibraltar in a WC qualifier thanks to Frank de Boer's stupidity of playing three times in the space of a week. Jurrien Timber returns to the team after missing several matches. Roma come up next Thursday in the Europa league.

Disappointing that Frank de Boer used Blind and Klaassen for all three WC qualifier games which resulted in an injury for Blind. Hopefully the rest of the squad is rested and ready to go.

Heerenveen used to be a really tough opponent, they always had special players, like Ruud van Nistelrooy and KJH that could cause serious trouble. But now, solid Eredivisie sides like Heerenveen can't compete on the transfer market because the big clubs (especially in England) are luring every single talent there is available. If Ajax does what it normally does, this game will not be a problem.

[Iniesta]

The injury had nothing to do with playing too many games
Why would de Boer not play with his best players during crucial matches?

[GangstaRiB]

The injury had nothing to do with playing too many games
Why would de Boer not play with his best players during crucial matches?

True. But he could have rested the players (that played two heavy games) against friggin Gibraltar.

[Ayman]

I am hoping Ten Hag would rest most key players that returned from international duty, esp. Tadic, Klaassen and Gravenberch. Would be a good chance for Kudus to shine. Also maybe Taylor can get some minutes at some point for the rest of the season. 8 Eredivisie games left, 2 QF Europa league games and 1 cup match. And if all goes well, there would be further SF Europa league games. I am just praying that Blind makes it back for the final, very unlikely though.

[Orange14]

Would be a good chance for Kudus to shine.

Didn't he play for Ghana this past break???

[Ayman]

Would be a good chance for Kudus to shine.

Didn't he play for Ghana this past break???

Yes but not 3 games in 1 week

[SPL]

Haller and Timber fit so just Blind and Mazraoui out.

[SPL]

Steks,Rensch,Timber,Martinez,Tagliafico,Alvarez,Gravenberch,Klaassen,Neres,Haller,Tadic.

The only one of that starting team who has played a lot of Ints last week is Tadic.6 stayed back in Amsterdam .

Labyad and Klaiber missing so Taylor and Kasanwirjo are subs.Schuurs and Kasanwirjo the only 2 defenders on the bench.

10 points max needed for the title so lets get 3 of them today

[Tom_]

Stekelenberg injured in the warm up. So Scherpen in goal, I think?

[Tom_]

Not a great half. Heerenveen are playing a short ball out at the back to draw the press then immediately playing it long. Their CFs are easily winning those long balls and we’re in all sorts of trouble with 2v2 or worse.

Wonder if ten Hag brings on Schuurs or drops the CBs deeper. Or something else.

[SPL]

With no Onana the one player we dont want injured is Steks,so hope he will be fit for Roma.

Alvarez has no speed and that was shown up with their goal. Ajax play fast moving football and neither Alvarez nor Haller are quick enough to suite our footy.Shame Brobbey is going he has speed as a striker and although not the faster player Blind is still quicker than Alvarez.

[Tom_]

Poor game but only 8 more points required now. Not sure anyone played particularly well.

[SPL]

Hard fought win but 3 points is good enough. Due to our superior GD we only need 7 points in effect.Martinez my MOM,our best defender and no wonder rumors that Barca fancy him.

Roma will be tough on Thursday,just hope Steks is fit and no more injuries.

[Orange14]

Thanks to two correct VAR decisions, Ajax come away with a 1-2 win away at Heerenveen. Both calls were pretty clear cut when you saw the replay but difficult to get right in real time. A lot of non-descript play today and Ajax will have to do better on Thursday against Roma. Scherpen must have been surprised to get the starting nod as keeper when Stekelenburg was injured in warm ups. He acquitted himself quite well making a couple of very nice saves (though one didn't matter because of a late off sides flag).

Player Ratings:

Scherpen (6.5) - performance was marred by a sloppy short kick that fell to the foot of a Heerenveen attacker
Tagliafico (6.5) - OK performance though was caught up field a couple of times in transition
Martinez (7) - decent defending and assisted on both goals
Alvarez (5) - surprise start at RCB with Rensch pushed up to MF; very poor defending on the goal but redeemed himself with some key interventions in the 2nd half
Timber (6.5) - another good performance as he went forward with purpose
Rensch (5) - don't know why he was starting in MF other than an experiment; the experiment did not work
Gravenberch (6) - quiet match but did not make any mistakes
Klaassen (6.5) - worked hard putting in a good shift
Tadic (6.5) - converted the penalty but couldn't produce much from the flank
Haller (6) - got the match winner on a toe poke deflection that required three minutes of VAR review
Neres (6) - just above average is all
Antony (5) - on for Neres and had little impact
Kudus (5.5) - had some good moments with the ball
Brobbey (NR)

Roma on Thursday and a victory is needed.

[Ayman]

Thanks to two correct VAR decisions, Ajax come away with a 1-2 win away at Heerenveen. Both calls were pretty clear cut when you saw the replay but difficult to get right in real time. A lot of non-descript play today and Ajax will have to do better on Thursday against Roma.

Not really, I have been following Roma, they strike force is experienced but nothing special. The only man to watch out for is their French attacking midfielder Jordan Veretout, he can strike one from distance. Spinazzola is a decent left back, likes to attack. Apart from that, they are very average, they don't seem to be able to handle pressure when there is an attack by the opposition.

[Ayman]

Thanks to two correct VAR decisions, Ajax come away with a 1-2 win away at Heerenveen. Both calls were pretty clear cut when you saw the replay but difficult to get right in real time. A lot of non-descript play today and Ajax will have to do better on Thursday against Roma.

Not really, I have been following Roma, they strike force is experienced but nothing special. The only man to watch out for is their French attacking midfielder Jordan Veretout, he can strike one from distance. Spinazzola is a decent left back, likes to attack. Apart from that, they are very average, they don't seem to be able to handle pressure when there is an attack by the opposition.

[GangstaRiB]

Thanks to two correct VAR decisions, Ajax come away with a 1-2 win away at Heerenveen. Both calls were pretty clear cut when you saw the replay but difficult to get right in real time. A lot of non-descript play today and Ajax will have to do better on Thursday against Roma.

Not really, I have been following Roma, they strike force is experienced but nothing special. The only man to watch out for is their French attacking midfielder Jordan Veretout, he can strike one from distance. Spinazzola is a decent left back, likes to attack. Apart from that, they are very average, they don't seem to be able to handle pressure when there is an attack by the opposition.

Right... as if we are in the position to call Roma 'average' .... no offence, but Ajax has rarely been tested this season. The games which were a real indicator of our strength did not all go to well. We've got knocked out of the CL. We've barely equalized against PSV in February this year. Only Lille was a real test where Ajax passed.

It will be a very tough game. I expect that players like Klaassen for instance, suddenly look like mediocre players. These kind of players are enormously important for Ajax, but they will fail at a higher level, where you have to think and act faster. The same reason why he failed at Everton. Hopefully he will prove me wrong.

[SPL]

Have to agree the only time we have beaten a good side was Lille.CL we struggled and we did not play well enough to beat PSV in either game.Roma will be very tough.

Back to yesterday VAR ruled for us twice but there has to be a time limit.The penalty was clear cut ,they only had to look at it twice to confirm it was a pen, but after a minute or so the ref then has to look at it several times. As for our 2nd well they took over 3mins.There should be a time limit of 1 min for VAR to be decided.

[Ayman]

The tough game to come will be against Man United. Have any of you followed Roma since Ajax were drawn with them?

[Manneken Pis]

From what I remember from the the podcast "Branie" (in Dutch) which Menno Pot (remember him? ) presents, one of the other journalists talked about Roma. Mish mash of young and old players due to different recruitment regimes which doesn't fully hang together. Attacking style (3-4-3) with the coach Fonseca who had 3 years success with Shaktar. Players to watch: Christante, Veretout, Pellegini and Pedro. Defence not great (have conceeded a lot this season) and leave space at the back when they push up, so opportunity for Antony & Neres. Arial danger (so journalist thinks Schuurs will play). Significant injuries (Best player Zaniolo, plus Kumbulla, Smalling, and Mkhitaryan). Džeko is there but getting on.

You're welcome!