04 DEC 2024; Ajax - Utrecht; Match Day 14

[Orange14]

Now the match with Utrecht may be in doubt. The police union may do another work stoppage on that day as a negotiating tactic for better benefits. I'm now wondering whether this will also put the Europa League match in peril. What a mess.

EDIT - this is the rescheduled match as a result of the police strike back in September

[Orange14]

Match with Utrecht is cancelled because of the ongoing police strike. Next scheduled match is Wednesday, Sept 18 against Fortuna Sittard. this is the makeup game that was rescheduled.

[SPL]

Apart form Rensch and Godts that is the best lineup we can have . Brobbey for Weghorst maybe but we need to win this game.

[SPL]

2-1 so far so good.What a goal by Gaaei

[Amol]

Strong squad today. Up 2-1 at HT. Saw all 3 goals but not been able to see much beyond that. Have been in meetings.

[Amol]

Utrecht has started strong in the 2nd half. We're lucky to not have given up the equalizer. Klaassen and Berghuis just came on for Fitz Jim and Traore.

[Amol]

Ended 2-2. Unlucky with their equalizer as the shot bounced off the post and on to Pasveer and then into the goal.

[SPL]

A very poor 2nd half and this time we only get a lucky point. Still 2nd and if we can draw at AZ and beat Sparta and Almere we will be 2nd or only a point off 2nd.

[Orange14]

Another disappointing result for Ajax. The team had too many sloppy passes and once Utrecht got the ball they had numbers on Ajax all match long. The soft 4-2-4 formation was not one where Ajax were pressed at all and Farioli's team had the bulk of the possession. However, they really were not able to reliably get the ball into the attacking zone and only wonder strike by Gaaei and Hato's deflected shot off Toornstra were able to find the back of the net. Pasveer had to be alert and made some nice saves. It's unfortunate that the tying goal came off the post and deflected off of him. I think it would have been a goal anyway as there was a free Utrecht attacker who could have put the rebound in. The only bright side was Ajax psressure when Utrecht had the ball in deep, they were not able to play the ball out and create much of anything. In the end, Ajax were again fortunate not to have lost this game. The winter break cannot come soon enough as the team really looks tired from all the matches.

Player Ratings:

Pasveer (7) - solid game in terms of saves, waves of Utrecht attackers came in on counter attackes
Gaaei (6.5) - phenomenal strike to even the match and he was good going forward but still poor on defense
Sutalo (6.5) - had a very poor pass early in the match but otherwise was OK
Baas (5.5) - I counted three very soft passes that went right to Utrecht players
Hato (6.5) - OK match and it was his deflected shot that gave Ajax the lead
Henderson (6.5) - one of the few players whose passing was decent and near the end had a shot on goal that went wide left
Taylor (6) - not much of an impact player
Fitz-Jim (6) - same as Taylor
Traore (6) - same as Taylor
Weghorst (5.5) - did a lot of running on the press and that was it
Akpom (6) - got the ball on a lot of occasions but could not create anything
Davy One Goal (5) - very ordinary
Berghuis (5) - same as Klaassen
van den Boomen (NR) - on for the final 15 minutes and ordinary
Brobbey (NR) - on for the final minutes and went down when the keeper clattered into him but was OK

AZ coming up on the weekend and they will be well rested. Four more matches including home to Lazio after that.

[Tom_]

This team is so painful to watch. The midfield in particular makes me want to cry. In attack they can barely get the ball to the halfway line. In defense they just make weak prods at the ball while the other team walks it around them.

Last season we were really unlucky with results, this season we have been very lucky so far. I’m not sure there is much else that is different.

[SPL]

We have only about 15 players who are good enough but our attack is dreadful due to lack of wingers. Traore can only last an hour,Berghuis is too slow and is not a winger neither is Akpom. How can we expect to do anything with half a winger ie Traore.MF not enough creativity .

However we are still 2nd and hope we can get a point at AZ and win the last 2 league games. Lazio would be tough with our strongest team and we should rest players for that game.We are not going to win the Europa and beating Almere is more important.

[Amol]

Godts is expected to be back this weekend. Hopefully he gets some minutes and then be ready for Lazio.

[Orange14]

Farioli noted that Ajax have played 10 more matches than Utrecht with all the Euro competition. This takes a toll on players and Ajax don't have the depth.

[Amol]

Very good point and that too with a squad short on quality. Winter Break can't come soon enough. I genuinely hope we pick up at least 1 winger and possibly a DM.

[souras84]

Seeing Baas lately is sometimes discouraging. He makes alot of mistakes and I don't like that soft attitude he has when he has to clear the ball, but instead tries a usually wrong pass straight to an opponent. Or makes a bad run forward which causes us lots of problems. I'd like to see Rugani in his position maybe

[Orange14]

Henderson is not fit to start which is not a good sign.