12 DEC 2024; Ajax - Lazio; Europa League Pool 6

[Orange14]

6th match of the Europa League group on Thursday. Given Ajax's poor recent form and injuries, it will be a difficult match. If they can find form and get a result it should see them through to the KO round.

[SPL]

So everyone is fit and its our strongest side. Pasveer,Rensch,Sutalo,Baas,Hato,Henderson,Taylor, Berghuis, Traore,Brobbey,Godts.

Pity they were not all fit last Sunday !

[SPL]

Looking at our subs and I realise why we are still in a bad way.Weghorst and F-Jim are ok ,Ramaj Rugani ok as back ups but the rest are not Ajax quality Klaassen not eligible is also Ok as back up. Thus we have really only 16 players . How on earth did we get into this state!!

[Tom_]

There have been some half chances but the way Ajax are defending I think they could easily give up a couple more goals on the counter.

[SPL]

Agree with Tom ,some half chances but our defending could easily see more Lazio goals

[Orange14]

When they get into the attacking half they seem to be getting chances. However, the build up from the back is just plain scary!! It worked early in the season before teams caught on; it works no longer. Baas is playing poorly in recent matches.

[Tom_]

Probably the expected result from this matchup. Lazio were set up to counter and Ajax aren’t good enough to avoid giving the ball away all the time.

[Orange14]

Ajax have now lost 13 straight home matches to Italian club teams. This was the strongest starting lineup that Farioli could put out and they were not able to get the job done. Lazio was clinical in finishing but Ajax also were poor defending on each goal. This club cannot play out from the back against opposition that understands their pattern of play. When Ajax did get the ball deep they had some nice interior passing but the shots were all blocked or missed the frame. Four headers, three from Brobbey and one from Akpom all missed the target though two of Brobey's were difficult. Traore had a wonderful goal and another that hit the crossbar but the rest of his play was dreadful. He could not properly challenge the Lazio LB who marched up the field setting the table for the third goal. Ajax journey to Latvia to take on Rigas in the next match before finishing up at home with Galatasary.

Player Ratings:

Passveer (6) - made three great saves but was forced to scramble because of weak back passes
Rensch (6) - OK match coming back from injury
Sutalo (6) - thought he was all right
Baas (4.5) - his passing is really bad right now and he seems lost at times
Hato (6) - decent but a YC means he doesn't travel to Latvia
Henderson (5.5) - look like he was laboring out there
Taylor (6) - above average before coming off
Berghuis (5.5) - had a couple of good free kicks
Traore (5.5) - to many poor passes and turnovers
Brobbey (5.5) - should have scored on one of the three headers
Godts (6) - had good ball control when he had it and passed to the open man
Fitz-Jim (6) - worked hard and had two shots, one easily saved and the other over the crossbar
Weghorst (5) - did control the ball several times but was never a factor
Akpom (4.5) - has to put the header in the net
Gaaei (NR) - on late and had a couple of decent crosses
Rasmussen (NR) - on late

Almere City on Sunday and then a cup tie with Telstar.

[SPL]

We had chances to score but 4 missed headers and Akpom's was the easiest. Their 3rd was the killer , 10 Ajax players standing still! Agree Baas is struggling and Rugani should get a start on Sunday. Why did Taylor come off when he did ok ,Rasmussen did not touch the ball and him being on the field basically meant we had 10 effective players.

[SPL]

Until Brobbey starts putting his chances in the net we will struggle.Akpom also missed a sitter,thus we should have got a draw.

I would want Fitz-Jim in Berghuis's place.He still looked better than Berghuis last night although a little lightweight against a strong Italian side.

Just need to put our strongest team out on Sunday against Almere . Traore and Henderson and maybe one or 2 defenders can be rested v Telstar and then our strongest team v Sparta.