13 FEB 2025; Union Saint-Gilloise; Europa League Playoff

[Orange14]

Ajax travel to Belgium for Thursday's EL match. Farioli warned the team about pitch conditions saying it might be worse than Sittard's abominable field. Unfortunately, Weghorst broke his big toe late in the match and is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks.

[SPL]

Bad new about Weghorst . Sounds like the pitch will be a disgrace like Sittard. All well and good banning plastic pitches but they are a million times better than Riga and Sittard . My local team Worthing play on plastic,we are in level 6 ie PL is level 1, so semi pro. Pitch is perfect,football good on it and no bad injuries.

[Tom_]

Depends on how bad it is of course but I’d say playing football 6 weeks after breaking a big toe is optimistic. Farioli has been flexible with lineups and he’ll have to work something out. Brobbey works hard and gets a lot of physical attention so he would probably need resting sometime before Weghorst is fit. Hmm.

[Amol]

Such bad timing with Weghorst's injury. We got rid of Akpom just a few days ago. I wonder if Farioli uses Traore or Rasmussen as subs for Brobbey. Maybe time to bring Rijkhoff back to the first team to cover.

[Orange14]

UEFA asked Union Saint-Gilloise to find another venue for the match as the field was under water because of bad weather and likely unplayable. They are supposed to report back today. Henderson and van den Boome are both out injured.

[Tom_]

I think it’s just been announced that it will be in the original location after all. Probably right as you hit send :)

Who knows what this is all about, I’m definitely expecting another dodgy pitch though.

[Orange14]

I think it’s just been announced that it will be in the original location after all. Probably right as you hit send :)

Who knows what this is all about, I’m definitely expecting another dodgy pitch though.

Yes, I just saw the update that UEFA has approved the field. I think they were forced to do so as Union could not find any other site for the match. We'll see what the field looks like. I just don't want any injuries because of this. Setford, Mokio, Janse, Bounida, and Steur are all on the squad list. Godts has traveled with the team as well.

[SPL]

Berghuis LW again ,Godts should not be risked on this cow field.MF Klaassen and Taylor but F-Jim may struggle on this pitch ,Sittard's cow patch did not suite him . Henderson ,V d Boomen and Reeger all out so maybe Hato at 6 and Mokio at LB .

[Amol]

Berghuis LW again ,Godts should not be risked on this cow field.MF Klaassen and Taylor but F-Jim may struggle on this pitch ,Sittard's cow patch did not suite him . Henderson ,V d Boomen and Reeger all out so maybe Hato at 6 and Mokio at LB .

My guess is actually Hato at LB and Mokio at DM. Agree with not risking Godts even for a single minute. I see a Mokio-Klaassen-Taylor midfield but Farioli always springs a surprise. Lets see.

I'd be happy with no injuries and small win. I'd be ok with a draw with no injuries either.

[Tom_]

Yeah… cynically, it’s more important to keep our players fit for the eredivisie, since that is our most likely route to the CL next season, and it’s not like we have a massive squad packed with quality backup players.

I still expect Farioli to put out his strongest lineup and try to win.

[Amol]

USG play just 16 kms away from Waterloo. So the field quality ummm is par for course I suppose.

I just hope we fare better than Napoleon.

[souras84]

USG play just 16 kms away from Waterloo. So the field quality ummm is par for course I suppose.

I just hope we fare better than Napoleon.

[Amol]

[Orange14]

Too bad we cannot embed video clips, otherwise I would post ABBA's "Waterloo."

[Amol]

Hahaha now you've made me go watch the video after about 20 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj_9CiNkkn4

[Amol]

Color me surprised with the squad selection for today.
Pasveer
Rosa-Rugani-Baas-Hato
Klaassen-Mokio-Fitz-Jim
Berghuis-Rasmussen-Edvardsen

Not sure what to expect at all. But seems like Farioli is trying to minimize injuries to some key players while putting out a decent squad.

[Orange14]

Need to go off to a meeting after a so so first half. Pitch is awful and slow. Ratings later tonight assuming I get to watch the replay.

[SPL]

Not much to say about the football, scruffy but the pitch is not good enough for pro football, this is 2025.Riga and Sittard were as bad.

Delighted with the starting lineup. 7 players left out although Mokio is doing fine in MF and Rosa is ok. Would be happy with a draw but hope we scrape a win

[SPL]

Yes we scored, Rasmussen with a lovely finish like Sittard.

[GangstaRiB]

Mokio is looking very promising!

[SPL]

Wow what a goal by Mokio,this boy is going to be special

[SPL]

A good 2nd half and 2 good goals as our extra class showed.Hopefully no injuries and key players were rested.Klaassen in the Henderson role I thought worked hard and no complaints from me.A good team performance on a dreadful pitch.

[SPL]

So our back up players were ok, defence with Rugani and Rosa ok although Sutalo is better Gaaei is a poor defender and based on today I can see Rosa making more starts. Klaassen and Berghuis both worked hard and showed their experience. Up front Rasmussen has now scored in 2 consecutive games and can come on for Brobbey until Weghorst is fit. Edvardsen dissappointed but it was a dreadful pitch and I cannot judge on today.

Delighted with the win and that Farioli decided to rest key players due to the pitch.

[Orange14]

Just finished watching the 2nd half after my meeting. Good result by Ajax on a horrible playing surface. Farioli had the courage to start a changed lineup given the injuries and risk to players. It worked as Ajax defended pretty well for the most part and got a bit of luck on two offsides calls that were correct, negating two goals. Mokio acquitted himself very well on the evening with some good defending and a wonderful goal to clinch the win. Glad for Rasmussen given all the criticism he has received.

Player Ratings:

Pasveer (7) - made all the saves he needed to and didn't even move on the 2nd pulled back goal as he saw the offside flag go up before the shot on goal
Rosa (6.5) - decent enough job by the newcomer who put in a solid shift
Rugani (6.5) - defended well but came off at the half with a bit of an injury
Baas (7) - good match and made safe passes rather than try to push things on this surface; had some good interventions on players deep in the attacking zone
Hato (7) - defended well and was a good passing outlet
Klaassen (6.5) - good clearance off the line but was laboring out there, particularly in the 2nd half
Mokio (7) - cannot ask any more of a 16 year old in a Euro competition, had a couple of poor passes but kept his position well and then there was the GOAL
Fitz-Jim (6.5) - obviously not the type of game that he can shine in but his passing was better and he pressed well
Berghuis (6.5) - didn't get a lot of the ball in deep but had a good all around match
Rasmussen (7) - had the game winner on a nicely taken goal and was almost in a couple of other times as well
Edvardsson (6.5) - played a decent game with a shot that unfortunately was right at the keeper
Sutalo (7) - on for Rugani and solid on defense
Taylor (6) - late sub and helped calm things down in the MF
Gaaei (5) - was playing decently until late when he lost his man and was lucky nothing came of it
Godts (NR) - on late
Traore (NR) - on late

The return leg should be more comfortable with a pitch that is suited for Ajax manner of play. If they stay focused they will reach the KO round. Heracles up on Sunday.

[Amol]

What a result in Waterloo!!! Rugani was the only one who picked an injury. He hyperextended his knee in the first half. Mokio is going to be really special, Rosa did really well and Rasmussen is now scoring goals regularly (well at least 2 now).

The team stuck to the plan, were first to most balls and rebounds. We should easily be able to put them away next week.

Also the Dutch gained a full co-efficient point and Portugal who is breathing down our neck only scored 0.2.