31 AUG 2023; Ajax - Ludogorets; Europa League Playoff

[Orange14]

The return tie is in Amsterdam this Thursday with Ajax holding a three goal lead. It would really be an epic failure if Ajax don't go through to the group stage. Kudus is gone but his three goals in the first match are still the edge the team has. Still some transfer talks going on but any new comer likely won't be registered in time.

Back to league play next Sunday against Fortuna Sittard.

[Orange14]

Lineup: Gorter; Rensch, Medic, Hato, Wyjndal; Tahirovic, van den Boomen, Taylor; Forbs, Brobbey, Bergwijn

Berghuis had a virus and on the sub bench. Vos also made the squad and it would be nice if he gets a run out at some point in the 2nd half assuming things are done and dusted. Aertsen, Banel, and Rasmussen are also in the squad from Jong Ajax

[SPL]

Like last week I am not bothering with illegal streams as I had problems finding them.Should be an easy win.

Wijndal playing and Klaassen on the bench must mean they are not leaving tomorrow.

[Orange14]

Quiet first half and neither keeper was threatened. Ajax had lot of posession in the attacking half but could not break through Forbs is trying too hard to beat players.

[SPL]

Not missed anything so far.

[Orange14]

Klaassen on for van den Boomen who was pretty poor.

[SPL]

Followed the game on Showtime via their posts and it seem utterly dreadful from Ajax. . Still seems no creativity in MF and we need a right winger. Just hope some of the new players are better than the shower we bought in last summer.

[SPL]

A lot happier now AZ won on penalties so Dutch have 4 in Europe same as Portugal. We are ahead of France on coefficients but they are certain to stay 5th ie 3 in CL group stage. We need to stay ahead of Portugal.

So draw tomorrow and my money is on us getting Brighton . My mates are all season ticket holders and will give me a load of stick.Magic for them ,best run club in England by a mile. Local millionaire owner,life long fan has built them a new ground and great training complex

[Orange14]

Hard to describe a match that almost put me to sleep. Ludogorets look like they spend more time weight training than practicing soccer. Lots of hard body checks in this one and one questionable challenge on Forbs that probably would have been a RC in the Eredivisie (or at least a VAR review). Ajax were lifeless and lose the game 0-1 which doesn't help the UEFA Coefficient even though they go through to the group stage. I'll need to watch a replay of the goal to figure out what went wrong other than disorganization at the back. It looked like Goerter got the ball but couldn't control it and maybe he was screened. He had one good save when Hato was out of position and a dangerous ball was being crossed in low. Brobbey had a breakaway in the final minute and looked surprised that he was close to being in on goal after being mugged all match. The only other real threat was when Salah-Eddine picked up a pass out and sprinted down the line but there was not support.

One can only hope that all the reinforcements who were watching from the seats in the Arena can help this team which right now looks to be out of the running in the Eredivisie.

Player Ratings:

Gorter (6) - had nothing much to do until the 2nd half where he made one really fine interception
Rensch (5.5) - slightly above average
Medic (5.5) - really good with the ball at his feet when he is not pressed, unfortunately this is not enough; he looked to be out of place on the goal
Hato (5.5) - one bad blunder but was OK otherwise
Wijndal (5.5) - just OK
Tahirovic (6.5) - best player on the field for me, always in position and challenged for every ball that was in his area
van den Boomen (4.5) - played as well as one would expect a free transfer from a second rate French team, there is a reason Ajax did not keep him first time around
Taylor (4.5) - undistinguished play and picked up a silly YC when he didn't need to
Forbs (5.5) - thrilling to watch but can't deliver the final product yet; had a couple of good runs but tries too hard to beat players when he can't (needs to watch a tape of Neres)
Brobbey (5.5) - held the ball up pretty well when he was be grabbed but outside of the final minute could not get free
Bergwijn (5.5) - not great and not bad, left in the 2nd half after being clattered into
Klaassen (5.5) - played very hard coming on for van den boomen
Berghuis (4) - should have stayed in the sick bed for all the good he did in this game
Godts (5) - on for Berwijn and just average
Salah-Eddine (NR) - on for the final 10 minutes for Wijndal and had one really nice run with the ball

Back to league play on Sunday and we will get a chance to see the replacements.

[Orange14]

We are ahead of France on coefficients but they are certain to stay 5th ie 3 in CL group stage.

Lens are not very good and might get bounced out of their group as PSV are better. Lille is in extra time in their match for the Conference League. If AZ and Ajax can win matches Dutch could stay ahead of France.

[SPL]

Posted the France are better comment before AZ won .I was expecting AZ to lose on pens .

[Amol]

My streaming service for some reason didn't end up showing the game. But based on everything I've read today, it looks like I saved myself from a snoozefest.

[Tom_]

I guess they decided to sit on their lead by hanging onto the ball. The match was a total waste of time.

[SPL]

Awaiting the draw .We are in Pot1 but only team in Pot 2 who will be tough are Sporting Lisborn. In Pot 3 only Brighton stick out .Really hope we avoid those 2 sides as we should be most other teams on paper.

nb Its Marseilles from pot 2 ,they were ranked 7th out of the 8 teams in pot 2 . So for our last 2 teams just avoid Brighton .

[SPL]

Pot 3 Brighton of course . I would have staked my life on us drawing them .

[Tom_]

As predicted by SPL!

[SPL]

Athens pot 4 they are ranked 2nd in that Pot . Hope for 3rd place which i think means Conference after Christmas.

[Orange14]

Not a great draw but that's happened before and Ajax have rose to the occasion. We shall see.