Ajax and FC Union Berlin balanced in Johan Cruyff ArenA

Berghuis Balende 1280
Berghuis Balende 1280

Ajax has ended its first of two games in the playoffs of the UEFA Europa League in a draw. Both Ajax and FC Union Berlin did not manage to score, which resulted in the final score being the same as at the start: 0-0. This makes the return game in Berlin all-decisive.

Date: 16.02.2023

Photographer: AFC Ajax

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  • #AJAFCU

FC Union Berlin tried to surprise their opponent by putting pressure on Ajax’s defense from the start, but the Amsterdam-based team was positioned in the right way.

Ajax’s ball possession
The attacking mindset of the German team took a backburner and turned into a wait-and-see attitude. FC Union Berlin gifted Ajax ball possession and tried to create opportunities in counterattacks. Ajax’s pace was too slow, which stopped the Amsterdam team from becoming actually dangerous in front of the German goal.

  • Teamfoto AJAFCU 900
  • Wijndal Voorzet AJAFCU 900
  • Tadic En Kudus 900
  • Rulli Bokst Weg 900
  • Aanname Wijndal 900
  • Taylor AJAFCU 900
  • Bergwijn Aan De Bal AJAFCU 900
  • Kudus Close Bal Op Grond 900
  • Rulli Aan De Bal AJAFCU 900
  • Bassey Close AJAFCU 900
  • Kans Brobbey 900
  • Rensch Kijkt Naar De Bal 900
  • Bergwijn Kopduel 900

Tactical change
Heitinga decided on a tactical chance after half-time. Owen Wijndal stayed behind in the dressing room and made place for Brian Brobbey. This appeared to be a fruitful chance, but Brobbey failed to control a wonderful pass from Tadic in the Germans’ penalty box with his chest.

FC Union Berlin was dangerous on the other side of the pitch through Thorsby, but the midfielder failed to turn a close-by cross into a goal.

Both Ajax and the Bundesliga club could not create chances in the last minutes of the match. The match ended the same way it started: 0-0.

Ajax – FC Union Berlin 0-0 (0-0)

Ajax: Rulli; Rensch, Timber, Bassey, Wijndal (46. Brobbey); Álvarez, Berghuis, Taylor; Kudus, Tadic, Bergwijn (75. Klaassen)

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