Ajax and AZ now have an equal number of points in the Eredivisie. On Sunday evening, Erik ten Hag’s team lost to their competitors form Alkmaar, 0-2, in the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Thinking of home game against Getafe
Ajax had been hoping for a fiery kick-off in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. It even seemed as though the home team would make an excellent start in the game. Dusan Tadic created danger with a header a few minutes into the game, but his shot was stopped by AZ keeper Marco Bizot. Shortly after that, however, a goal was scored on the opposite side.
Daley Blind was the one who lost the ball to the visiting team. Fredrik Midtsjø made a pass to Myron Boadu, who outplayed Andre Onana. The Amsterdam team suffered an early goal against in much the same was as it had happened in the home game against Getafe.
Onana keeps Ajax alive
It was Boadu who again had a gorgeous opportunity before halftime, but Onana saved this one at the goal line. The goalie had had to the same thing just prior, on a shot from Midtsjø. Ajax was on the hunt, which resulted in a few opportunities. Nico Tagliafico and Tadic with his header each came close to scoring, but it didn’t happen in the first half. AZ played on the counter and waited for Ajax to make its moves.
Ajax makes fiery start in the 2nd half
Ajax took a different approach in the second half. Shortly after the break, Ten Hag’s team came close to scoring the tying goal several times. Blind was the first Ajacied to fire a shot onto the goal, but it went too high.
Later on, his fellow defender Perr Schuurs made a try as well, but his shot also missed. Tadic had the best chance. The forward was cleverly freed up by Hakim Ziyech, but the Amsterdam team’s captain was equally unable to force the tying goal.
At the same time, the home team caught a break. The visitors seemed to score the 0-2 via Ouassam Idrissi, but it was disallowed due to hands by Boadu just prior to the goal. Referee Serdar Gözübüyük made this decision after consulting the video referee.
AZ deals final blow
The disallowed goal didn’t damped the visitors’ spirits, and Idrissi did make it onto the scoreboard later in the game. AZ’s forward passed Onana with a subtle lob, after he had appeared alone in front of the keeper. This was the final blow for the home team. Despite attemps by Tagliafico and Donny van de Beek, the opponent’s win was not in danger.
Utrecht-away approaching
Ajax didn’t manage to win ‘Super Sunday’. On Wednesday, the Amsterdam team have another crucial game. Ten Hag’s team will visit FC Utrecht in the KNVB Cup game.