10 MAR 2019; Ajax - Fortuna Sittard; Match Day 25

[Orange14]

Take a deep breath and remember that we move back to the Eredivisie after the memorable night in Madrid. Ajax have two home matches within the space of five days. this Sunday they play Fortuna in the late afternoon match and then host PEC Zwolle in the game that was rescheduled by the Dutch FA to give Ajax a little more rest before the CL contest (good decision by the KNVB!!). Little chance for picking up points on PSV this week as the Eindhoven team hosts bottom of the table and prime relegation candidate, NAC Breda.

[Amol]

I'm genuinely hoping that Ten Haag rests a couple players from the Madrid game. We need to keep an eye on the players, rest a couple each game and try to keep them fresh(er).

I would genuinely replace Tadic with Dolberg, play Neres and Ziyech as the wide players. One of De Jong/De Ligt should be rested as well.

[Amol]

Also just remembered that Nous is out in the first leg of the CL Quarters. We need to play either Veltman/Kristensen pretty regularly so that they get their game legs.

[SPL]

Dolberg starts ,Ziyech Mf and Schone on the bench. Need to win and get early goals

[rjf1]

And Tadic opens the scoring at the 3:25 mark. It's been all attack so far -- good to see.

[SPL]

Goal ,Tadic perfect start

[rjf1]

After about 15 minutes of ho-hum football, Ziyech sends a low cross into the box from the left and Neres is there to put it away. 2-0

[SPL]

2-0 Neres hopefully we will go and get 5 or 6

[SPL]

Ht comfortable from us should be 5-0 up so lets get a 3rd quickly and put this game to bed

[rjf1]

Neres does it again! Receives the ball in the box with his back to the goal -- does a spin-o-rama to his right and sends a screamer with his left foot into the left side of the goal.

[rjf1]

Dolberg on a counterattack down the right side -- draws the goalie over to cover for the shot -- slides the ball over to a wide open Tadic in front of the net. Tadic puts it away for his second. 4-0

[SPL]

An easy win, I did see goals 3 and 4 but stream kept freezing at times during the last 30 mins which was a bind.

[Orange14]

A Sunday stroll in the park for Ajax today as they were hardly troubled by Fortuna Sittard. A brace apiece by Tadic and Neres and Onana was hardly troubled in goal. ten Hag continues to put out the top eleven in every match only rotating things at the striker position. I hope this doesn't come back to haunt him and the team.

Player Ratings:

Onans (6.5) - nothing at all to do in the first half and only a couple of balls to save in the second
Tagliafico (6.5) - good match and got some rest coming off in the 2nd half
Blind (7) - solid on defense and ventured forth on offense when there was an opening
de Ligt (7.5) - really nice pass to Dolberg who then delivered the ball on a gold plate for Tadic
Mazraoui (7) - little defending to do which freed him up to attack down the line
de Jong (6.5) - played the first half as the deep lying playmaker
van de Beek (6.5) - decent game
Ziyech (6.5) - some wild shots but very good pressing the ball
Tadic (7.5) - picked up right where he left off in Madrid
Neres (8) - always industrious and freed himself up on several occasions for an attack on goal
Schöne (6.5) - took over for de Jong at the half
Sinkgraven (6) - got some good minutes in
Labyad (6) - on late for Ziyech

PEC Zwolle who drew 0-0 with AZ is up next on Wednesday with a trip to Alkmaar next weekend.

[SPL]

Orange you missed Dolberg's rating ! Set up the 4th very well but thought he struggled and did not over impress me today. Think KJH should get playing time on Weds.

I still think the lack of rotation ,other than striker , will come back to haunt us next month.

PS Appie's Dad was watching today and the camera showed a close up ,nice to see him in the Arena.

[Orange14]

Orange you missed Dolberg's rating ! Set up the 4th very well but thought he struggled and did not over impress me today. Think KJH should get playing time on Weds.

I still think the lack of rotation ,other than striker , will come back to haunt us next month.

PS Appie's Dad was watching today and the camera showed a close up ,nice to see him in the Arena.

I probably missed him because he disappeared for large parts of the game. I agree about the player rotation; the starters have had a very long season with all the CL qualification matches.