06 AUG 2019; PAOK Salonika - Ajax; CL Qualifier

[Orange14]

Ajax journey to Greece for a Champions League qualification match against PAOK. It was a disappointing start to the league season yesterday with only a draw at Vitesse. Ajax did display some moments of brilliance and the high pressure worked quite well. The club needs to be conscious of defensive duties when the ball is lost and PAOK will likely rely on counter attacks and defend so as not to concede an away goal. We still don't know whether van de Beek will be with the club this week and I'm sure ten Hag would like to have him as he adds dynamism in the MF.

Let's hope things get sorted out and Ajax can get though to the next qualification round.

[souras84]

It's gonna be a DANGEROUS game... I hope that Overmars doesn't think we are already in the CL group stage and sell Donny right now. At least keep him until we get through paok.

[SPL]

Donny is going to Greece.Ajax dont want to sell until after PAOK tie. Hope they keep to that we need to get through this tie.

[Orange14]

Edson Alvarez is also on the 23 man travel team. Noa Lang and Eiting are left out. With Blind moving to MF, Eiting may be the odd man out this season.

Regarding van de Beek, Ajax are in no need of money and don't have to sell him to keep the books in order. I wonder if there is an agreement on a transfer between Overmars and van de Beek. If I were Overmars, I would keep him for one more season.

[Orange14]

Ajax have submitted their CL roster to UEFA. Siem de Jong is among the senior players named to the team. The 'B' list (academy trained players born in 1998 or later) include: el Maach, Kotarski, Kemper, ter Heide, Eiting, Gravenberch, Ekkelenkamp, Lang, J Timber, Q Timber, Jensen, Taylor, and Brobey.

[kezme44]

how do paok compare to aek? took us until the second half to crack aek's defense in the two cl games we played against them. playing in greece, it will be quite difficult tomorrow i foresee...

[Orange14]

PAOK have only played friendlies this summer as the Greek league doesn't start until later in the month. They lost to AZ 1-0, tied PEC Zwolle 2-2, defeated Anderlecht 3-1 & Fortuna Sittard 5-1 as well as notching wins against Norwegian and Romanian teams. I don't know what can be concluded from this. My guess is that PAOK will be happy as long as they don't concede an away goal.

[Orange14]

It looks like tomorrow's match against PAOK will be carried by B/R Live here in the US. Charge for the stream will be $2.99

[souras84]

Paok last year was a better team than Aek. At least in the Greek Championship. They will definitely play strong defense and try to hit us on the counter. Their CB duo is the same for the last 3-4 years and it's a good one too. Their right fullback is dangerous too and he joins the attack many times. The atmosphere will be boiling hot. Fans and heat together. I predict something like 1-1 or 2-2

[SPL]

Eiting out for max 6 weeks problems with his knee due to over training.

[souras84]

Eiting out for max 6 weeks problems with his knee due to over training.

Schone, Van de Beek, De Jong (and Eiting) gone. Is it time to buy someone?

[Ayman]

I really hope Neres starts instead of Dolberg! He can keep their attacking right back occupied. Noa Lang should have been in the squad too! As for Kasper Dolberg, it's time we say goodbye to him.

[Amol]

Ajax lineup for today -
Onana;
Veltman, Schuurs, Martínez, Tagliafico;
Mazraoui, Blind, Van de Beek;
Ziyech, Dolberg, Tadic.

Subs - Varela, Neres, Huntelaar, Promes, Magallán, Marin, Dest

Contrary to popular opinion, I actually liked the effort which Dolberg has been putting in, in the past few games. I like that ETH is sticking with him. We play in a very different system than how Bosz used to play. Under Bosz, Dolberg could use his pace and latch on to through balls. Under ETH, we play more short passes in zone 14 and in the half-spaces, so Dolberg is unable to use his strengths. But the boy is trying this year and is fit.

[Orange14]

I'm glad that someone else likes the effort that Dolberg has been giving so far this season. I am also not ready to give up on him and he's made some great runs in the matches I've seen so far.

[SPL]

Dolberg will probably get the winning goal today!

[kezme44]

1-0!!!!

[kezme44]

is paok still owned by the crazy greek/russian guy who came onto the pitch with a gun strapped to his belt?

[SPL]

So far so good with the early goal taking pressure off us.2-0 by HT will be nice

[Tom_]

Referee is letting a lot go. We’re not looking super sharp yet and I’m worried they’re going to get a couple of big chances by pressing.

[kezme44]

amateur defending

[Amol]

1-1 - no one picked up the goalscorer who pulled up short in the box. Every one made the run to the goal line.

[SPL]

woeful defending but KJH is on for Dolberg

[Tom_]

This is looking really bad to me. We’re a step or two behind and losing out on every loose ball. We could ship 5 if this keeps up.

[Amol]

Maybe I should stop watching. We've been scored on twice since I started watching.

[Amol]

Almost let in a 3rd. Wake up Perr Schuurs!! A simple toe poke took the ball past Perr.