21 MAY 2023; Ajax - Utrecht; Match Day 33

[Orange14]

Home to Utrecht on Sunday and I really cannot wait for this season to finish.

[Orange14]

I'm looking at the bright side today. Ajax still have a chance for second place. With two wins over Utrecht and Twente along with a draw and a loss by PSV, both teams are even on points and Ajax would have the better goal differential. One always has to have hope!!!

[Tom_]

I am also ready for this season to be over. The players seem to agree because Tadic and Brobbey were the only ones who looked like they were going 100% against Groningen.

Unfortunately for them they have to win this game even if PSV win too… I can’t remember the last time Ajax finished 4th.

[Orange14]

… I can’t remember the last time Ajax finished 4th.

2005-06, Ajax finished 4th: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005%E2%8 ... Eredivisie However they won the playoff for the 2nd Champions League spot so it wasn't a total washout.

[Orange14]

Stekelenburg announced his retirement and Sunday will be the last home match for him.

[SPL]

Same lineup as last game with Bergwijn at 10! Not looking forward to this game and glad when its next week and this dreadful season ends.

[Tom_]

Should be out of sight but somehow it’s only 1-0. Not that 3-0 would be safe with this Ajax.

Heerenveen are winning 2-1 at PSV and AZ are 2-0 up. I think we want AZ to win if PSV drop points.

[SPL]

A fine goal and we are playing good football but finishing is poor as we should be 4-0 up. Players finally look motivated and lets hope this continues in the 2nd half and we get more goals.

[Tom_]

Phew, had that horrible feeling when PSV equalised, but Heerenveen hung on and Klaassen extended Ajax’s lead. Both results went our way.

AZ at home to PSV next week and only two points behind. A draw doesn’t help them so they will be playing to win. We have to beat Twente away though!

[Orange14]

The faintest of chances for finishing second in the league is still on the table as Ajax win at home against Utrecht and PSV can only manage a draw against Heernveen. The final week of the season looks to be quite interesting with PSV going to Alkmaar and Ajax to FC Twente. Ajax really should have put this game away with all the chances they had prior to the Douvikas goal which was well taken by the league leading goal scorer. there was some heart in the mouth defending down the stretch but Davy One Goal sealed the win with a nice volley from the great cross from Godts. In general Ajax did well on the day putting good pressure on Utrecht and defending well enough.

Player Ratings:

Rulli (6.5) - did not have a tough save to make as Utrecht only had the one shot on goal; he kept a cool head down the stretch and his passing was good all game
Rensch (6.5) - defended well enough but didn't do much on offense as Ajax constantly went down the left side
Timber (7) - solid match defensively
Hato (7) -another fine outing moving to LB when Wijndal picked up a knock
Wijndal (7) - thought this was maybe his best game in terms of offense and going forward
Alvarez (7.5) - won every ball in his area and his cross field passes were spot on, moved to the back line for the final 25 minutes
Taylor (6.5) - decent game and did not try to force passes
Bergwijn (7) - solid game with several good shots
Kudus (7) - more involved today and it was good to see him defending well when the ball was lost
Brobbey (7) - yes the match winner was a tap in but his over all play was quite good on the day
Tadic (7) - I'll charitably give him a higher mark as he put in a good effort but his lack of quickness is definitely showing
Klaassen (6) - great volley to clinch the match
Godts (NR) - on briefly at the end but what a great cross

Buckle your seat belts, next Sunday will be interestng!!!!!

[Orange14]

AZ at home to PSV next week and only two points behind. A draw doesn’t help them so they will be playing to win. We have to beat Twente away though!

PSV are 3 points up on Ajax: 72-69. They can stay second with a draw. I think AZ will play to win as they can overtake Ajax with a win and an Ajax loss.

[SPL]

An overall good game ,they had 2 chances ,the goal, which was superbly taken, and a header against the post .We should have scored at least 6 but maybe we will get lucky in the box next week.

All played well and we started with 5 from our academy, not counting Bergwijn and a 6th with Klaassen but more import the 17 year olds Hato and Godts look special.

Did not follow the other games just knew we had to win, so now its a draw and we are 3rd , we win and AZ win and its CL . I predict AZ will win but we will draw so finish 3rd a point behind a poor PSV .

[Tom_]

PSV are 3 points up on Ajax: 72-69. They can stay second with a draw. I think AZ will play to win as they can overtake Ajax with a win and an Ajax loss.

Exactly - I was trying to say AZ are only 2 behind Ajax so AZ will want a win.

Twente are guaranteed 5th place so let’s just hope Ajax can get a win there.