13 AUG 2019; Ajax - PAOK Salonika; CL Qualifier

[Orange14]

All to play for tomorrow. Ajax did get two away goals last week but also conceded two. They need to get off on the front foot right from the beginning and put this tie to rest in the first half. I imagine ten Hag will start Neres, Ziyech, and Tadic up front. Don't know how the back line will stack up in terms of Schuurs or Veltman at center back; maybe Alvarez is ready to play. I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be a difficult match.

[souras84]

Sneaking suspicion? I am 100% certain!

[Amol]

Same lineup as against Emmen. Dolberg not even on the bench

This is really worrying me as we don't even have Schuurs' height for defending corners. From memory, Veltman was beaten on one of the header goals which PAOK scored on a set piece.

[SPL]

Will be difficult but hopefully KJH will come on and get a winner.I see Dolberg is not on the bench . Veltman Cd again which is fair enough .

PS If we get through its APOEL Nicosia and not Qarabag.Great relief as Qarabag is a long way east of Europe.

[Tom_]

Wow, we look awful again. What’s going on with this team?

[Orange14]

I honestly don't know why PAOK were complaining on the two penalty calls, there was no doubt in each case that the call was correct. I don't think Martinez deserved a YC on the tackle. He got the ball before the player. This game is still tight and glad Tadic was able to convert the 2nd PK. Ajax are still too sloppy in conceding balls.

I couldn't tell who was at fault on the goal, maybe Marin or Blind was out of position and Onana was screened on the side the ball went in by Veltman. Tighten up the ship!!!

[Khraa]

I think it is Veltmans fault. The ball shoud never have been able to pass him on that side.

[SPL]

Not much to add just relief Tadic got the 2nd penalty.

[Van basten]

The first PK should have been re-taken, coz by new rules at least one of goalkeeper's foot has to be on the line when shot is made. It was clearly not the case. It was exact same situation when Aguero PK was saved this weekend, and they gave him second chance.

[Ayman]

AT the full time whistle the PAOK staff went and remonstrated with the officials/referee and his assistance. It's odd.
Anyway, one thing is for sure, Veltman is NOT a centre back. We only have one right foot centre back = Schuurs. Even Alvarez is yet to be tested in that position.

[SPL]

That was hard work ,agree the 1st penalty should have been retaken. Only threat from them was Biesewar 2 goals , one cross that went across the area and a late shot saved,the rest of them no threat but they made it very hard to break down.Biesewar had the beating of Dest.

Dest is not ready for CL yet good attacking but weak on defending and Mazraoui and Veltman should be the RB leaving Schuurs and Alvarez as CD.

Early days but I dont see this team doing much against the big boys this season, thats if we get past APOEL.

[Orange14]

The match ended up on an ugly note with a several PAOK players going after the match official and his crew. I don't know what they had to complain about as all three penalties were well called. On the third one both Ajax players were pulled down so pick your choice on that one. Ajax was sloppy in its play with too many passes intercepted. Former Feyenoord player Biseswar with both PAOK goals. On to the next round against Apoel of Cyprus.

Player Ratings:

Onana (6.5) - made one really nice save late in the second half but didn't have a lot to do on the night
Tagliafico (7) - nice goal but might have pushed his man to the ground
Martinez (7.5) - well played defense all night and knows where to head the ball every single time
Veltman (5.5) - he screened off Onana on the first goal but otherwise was OK
Mazraoui (6) - split time, first half at LB and second in the MF and did a decent job in both places
Blind (7) - great passing night always hitting the open man and controlling the ball well
Marin (6) - had a couple of good interventions in the only half he played
van de Beek (6.5) -I hope this was not his final match in the Arena; didn't do much offensively but really strong defense
Neres (6.5) - had a couple of openings on goal but couldn't get the shot off fast enough
Tadic (7.5) - took a lot of punishment with chops to his ankles but converted 2 of 3 PKs
Ziyech (7) - great on the press and general ball handling but tried to force some passes
Dest (5) - mixed bag with a turnover and not so hot defending on the second goal but he had some good plays as well to balance things out
Huntelaar (6) - super sub is just what was needed in the 2nd half

Off to Venlo this Saturday to play VVV and then a week from now against Apoel in the CL Playoff Round

[Orange14]

Early days but I dont see this team doing much against the big boys this season, thats if we get past APOEL.

Didn't you think the same thing last summer?? I sure did.

[Ayman]

Ten Hag has plenty of games to experiment and give debuts to the likes of Alvarez. That central midfield is the missing link to this Ajax side, Daley Blind is better suited at LCB. That is the only position that needs to be fixed. I don't know who can fill it. Eiting isn't back till middle of next month.

[Orange14]

Stats on the night:

62% possession
18 shots, 10 on target
12 corners
3 Yellow Cards

[Orange14]

Daley Blind is better suited at LCB.

Martinez is a much better defender, quicker and stronger in the back. He's the Cannavaro of Ajax. I think Blind stays in the MF as he's the best passer on the team.

[Tom_]

I hope taking off Donny at the last minute doesn’t mean what I think it does! Seems like ten Hag was letting the crowd give him his farewell.

[Orange14]

I hope taking off Donny at the last minute doesn’t mean what I think it does! Seems like ten Hag was letting the crowd give him his farewell.

Overmars said earlier today that he believes van de Beek will be with Ajax. Apparently they have decided on a firm date, after which there won't be any transfers out. I think only Real Madrid is the only team that has the money that Ajax will ask and if they get Neymar they would not be in a position to bring in Donny. I think he ends up staying (he says with fingers crossed).

[Tom_]

Ok, I hope you’re right about that.

Think we could’ve used Schöne to hold on to the ball today! The game was a mess but I think the team just needs time to get their act together. Lineup isn’t set, players making weird choices on the ball etc. I don’t think our playoff opponents will be as tough, though.

[Amol]

As promised, I didn't watch the game yesterday and we won!!! Will try and catch the replay over the weekend.

Following the game on twitter and uefa.com almost gave me a heart attack in the last 5 minutes.