23 FEB 2017 Ajax - Legia Europa League

[Orange14]

The return tie takes place this Thursday in Amsterdam. Ajax has to keep a clean sheet to avoid any complications because of away goal(s). They need to be clinical in finishing any chances and figure out a way to get the ball across the halfway line with consistency. I expect Legia will have learned the lesson that the correct tactic is to press Ajax in the defensive end and force them to pass the ball up the middle to try to break through. Ajax has done a very poor job in this regard and I wonder if Bosz is training the team to deal with this.

[SPL]

Squad of 18 and Neres included. Tete suspended,Sinkgraven still injured. Kluivert and de Ligt not included. Most league games we have 3 defenders on the bench and before the end of January it was 4 with Dijks but now we have just Westermann! If we had to bring on a player for the last 10 mins tomorrow I would rather have de Ligt than Westermann. The kid is simply better but at 17 we are holding him back.

[Cruijff]

Yeah and yesterday in The Youth League they let De Ligt the full 90 minutes. Same for Kluivert, but the game against Dynamo Kiev wasn't that intense.... in my opinion both guys would also be ready for Europa League playing minutes.

[Ayman]

Kluivert is not in the squad, I hope de Ligt is in. He should be on the fringes.

[SPL]

Kluivert and de Ligt not in the squad.Imagine after Tuesday's U19 game they will play for Jong v FC Eindhoven tomorrow

[Cruijff]

Kluivert and de Ligt not in the squad.Imagine after Tuesday's U19 game they will play for Jong v FC Eindhoven tomorrow

Yeah....
Well... I would have picked a couple other lads than we will see now in the squad but despite that.... according to how Legia is defending (a week ago Klaassen scored and Dolberg and Schöne also should have) you should eliminate this team.


In Amsterdam Arena against these lads you have to score at least 3, 4 or 5 times. My prediction: 3-0.

[Cruijff]

David Neres is in the squad and Peter Bosz is very pleased that Lasse Schöne did extend his contract until 2019:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HavmTy-0aAM

[King Litti]

In Amsterdam Arena against these lads you have to score at least 3, 4 or 5 times. My prediction: 3-0.

Agreed. We should be still in Europe after this night. No away goals for us, but any win will do. Legia is no joke, but we should definitely beat them at home. Wonder if Neres will come in at some point. Very interesting to see him in action.

I'm spoiled after a long time. A tv channel in Finland will show this one, so it's burgers and beer in a sports bar for me. Only worry is that in this hockey crazed nation a local hockey game might threaten my night, cause no doubt, I'll be the only ajax fan in the bar.

[SPL]

Hope you catch the game in Finland ,Litti.

Same starting lineup as last Sunday ie Riedewald playing.

[Orange14]

We get Anthony Taylor as match official. He's pretty decent as I've seen him do a bunch of EPL matches.

[Tom_]

OK half. Ajax are clearly better. It is a bit worrying how Legia are being allowed to get the ball forward on the counter.

[Orange14]

Average and no better. Only shot on frame was by Ziyech who hit the upright. Younes is the only player creating anything. It still takes the club forever to bring the ball into the attacking third which is unacceptable.

[SPL]

Ok nothing special, just need to somehow get that goal

[SPL]

And Viergever pops up ,goalie should have saved that though

[Amol]

1-0!!!!!!!!

Phew. Need another 1 at least.

[Orange14]

Nice put away by Viergever of the rebound. He was off side at the start of the play but I guess the linesman lost track.

[Tom_]

That's not offside ;)

Still want another one, we could get punished if we try to hang on to 1–0.

[Ayman]

This is kind of scary. Neres couldn't come on any time sooner

[Ayman]

Yellow card for Davidson Sanchez, he will be suspended for the next game, if Ajax go through

[Tom_]

Wow, where do they find these EL officials

[Amol]

Wow. Both Veltman and Sanchez are out for the next EL game. I guess we'll see De Ligt slot in.

[Ayman]

Now Veltman suspended for the next game after a yellow card. Ajax are not short of defenders, E.g Tete and de Ligt.

[Amol]

How do you mess up a 5-against-1 break? Unbelievable.

[SPL]

Held on somehow Veltman and Sanchez stupid now banned.

[Amol]

I literally couldn't get any work done.