13 MAR 2025; Eintracht Frankfurt - Ajax; Europa League Round of 16

[Orange14]

Down a goal and on the road in Germany. Time to step it up.

[Amol]

UEFA has approved Ajax's request of replacing the injured Pasveer with Matheus. Thank God. I couldn't bear to watch another game with Gorter in goal.

No Hendo for this one as he picked up a YC in the home game and has to sit this one out.

[SPL]

Brobbey travels and seems fit but Farioli is going to decide if he plays as he does not want to risk injury. Weghorst and Wijndal are likely to be back in training after the Int break . Hope Weghorst will be fit for PSV .Pasveer is out for 5 or 6 weeks so mid April.

[SPL]

This is our 18th game of the season ,I am trying to find out if anyone has played more games in a season. If you played in all 4 qualifying rounds and get to the final thats 25 and before this season max 23 . No one has every played that many but I doubt many teams have played more than our 18 in a season.

Lets hope we can win and go through.

[Amol]

Very interesting lineup for us today
Mathaus
Rosa-Rugani-Kaplan-Janse
Klaassen-Mokio-Van Der Boomen
Berghuis-Don Konadu-Edvardsen


Sounds like we're saving the team for the AZ game this weekend.

[Amol]

We just gave up a simple goal in the 6th minute. Someone forgot to track a runner.

[Amol]

Rugani picked a knock on his head and receiving treatment. Frankfurt score from a ball over the top of our defense. Kaplan and Janse didn't look great there at all.

[Amol]

We are getting chances on their goal though. Klaassen and now Berghuis had shots on goal in the past 5 minutes.

[Amol]

Kaplan just allowing a simple run across the box and an open shot on goal. 3-0 now.

Kaplan is not looking good. I'd be ok selling him on this summer and moving Janse up.

[Amol]

GOAAAAALLLL!!! Taylor just scored with a well placed shot from outside the box.

Only need 2 more to tie the game and 3 more to go to extra-time.

[Amol]

Mathaus comes well outside his box to save us on a counter and after he has complete control of the ball, decides to play a cute pass instead of hoofing it up the field. The pass goes directly to a Frankfurt player Gotze scores his second from close to the half-way line.

[Orange14]

I won't second guess Farioli about the starting lineup today. He has gotten so much right all season long that I trust that he made the right decision to rest starters ahead of Sunday. Most of those young players who started played hard and did well. It looked like Ajax were playing three in the back for most of the first half with Rugani, Kaplan, and Janse staying back. Ajax were unfortunate to go down to ten men when Rugani got a cut on his forehead and had to come off. I figured Eintracht would take advantage of it and they did. However, Kaplan really could have done much better and never should have let Goetze get behind him. The other bad goal that Ajax gave up was when Matteus was way out of his goal and tried to play the ball to a teammate rather than just kicking the ball long or out of touch. Easy goal for Eintracht.

In the end Eintracht are a level too high for this Ajax team. Still, I didn't think Ajax would make it this far given the had to play three preliminary rounds

Player Ratings:

Matteus (5) - he made a couple of really tough saves but made a horrible play that led to the 4th goal; I hope Setford or Reverson are ready soon as we need a good first team GK
Rosa (5.5) - actually not a bad game and he had a couple of good crosses
Rugani (5.5) - Ok but not great
Kaplan (4.5) - defended poorly on two of the goals
Janse (5.5) - decent enough being put in the lineup against a quality opponent
van den Boomen (5) - needs to leave but he won't; just too slow to play at this level and offers little quality
Mokio (5.5) - better than on the weekend, worked hard defending and made few mistakes
Klaassen (5) - such a limited player these days, he works hard but lacks speed and quickness on the downside of his career
Berghuis (6.5)- maybe the most dangerous player for Ajax, constantly dropping back to pick up the ball and tried hard to make things happen
Konadu (5) - had a tough time all game long though there was one time when he was obviously fouled and did not get the call
Edvardsen (6)- had a better than average game and almost had a headed in goal
Godts (5.5) - kept control of the ball and had a nice assist on the Taylor goal
Taylor (6) - only one to hit the back of the net
Traore (5) - looked disinterested
Gaaei (NR) - on late for Rosa
Hato (NR) - on late for Janse

AZ coming up and then an international break. Would like to see Ajax finally beat AZ!!!

[Tom_]

Clearly a B-side with players saved for AZ, and I’m ok with that since the aim is CL next season.

On the other hand, this tie has reinforced that our squad is a long way from CL quality, so I’m not sure how enjoyable it will be to watch if we make it in!

[Amol]

On the other hand, this tie has reinforced that our squad is a long way from CL quality, so I’m not sure how enjoyable it will be to watch if we make it in!

I've been thinking of that myself. Is it going to be joyful if we're cannon fodder in the CL next year? Need some quality injections in the summer, if we do make it through.

[Tom_]

We’ve been here before though. Remember the early 2010s when we kept qualifying but getting thrashed?

I reckon it’s part of the good-bad-good-bad cycles Ajax has always been through. At least it feels to make like we are on the way back up from a low point just now.

And I’m not sure buying players in summer is the answer, I kinda hope they don’t do that!

[Orange14]

The big problem as with all Dutch clubs is that they cannot keep players long enough to gel into a cohesive team. If Hato and Taylor stay for next season we might have a chance to do something. We cannot keep putting 19 year olds out on the pitch to face experienced teams from one of the big leagues and expect much to happen. Even in 2019 we had some experience in Blind, Tadic, and Schone. all the young players played way above their levels as well.

I wonder if Farioli stays. Both Roma and Juventus are likely to need new managers next season.

[Amol]

We’ve been here before though. Remember the early 2010s when we kept qualifying but getting thrashed?

I reckon it’s part of the good-bad-good-bad cycles Ajax has always been through. At least it feels to make like we are on the way back up from a low point just now.

And I’m not sure buying players in summer is the answer, I kinda hope they don’t do that!

Yes I know. It's just so painful and brings back painful memories. But I suppose you're right that getting into the CL is still a step in the right direction at least next year. Will take another couple years to truly get back.

I do think we need a quality injection in a couple places. Not asking for 8 new players of course. One of Taylor/Hato will leave this year, so we need replacement(s) and could use a new RW. Traore is garbage and Berghuis can't play a full game and is not the best RW.

[Tom_]

Yeah. I certainly wouldn’t say no to an attacking midfielder who can pass the ball.