In Zwolle there were three changes to the starting eleven compared to the draw against NEC. Wout Weghorst, Oscar Gloukh and Davy Klaassen started this time. Kasper Dolberg, Sean Steur and Kian Fitz-Jim began on the bench.
Ajax were toothless in attack during the first half, but hoped to be awarded a penalty shortly before half-time. After a half-volley attempt from Davy Klaassen, the ball struck the hand of Zico Buurmeester. Referee Sander van der Eijk was called over to the monitor by the VAR, but after a lengthy review of the footage, he decided – to the disbelief of the Ajacieden – not to award a penalty.
Ajax looked slightly better in the second half, also due to the five substitutions Grim made during the period. Ultimately, two build-up moments stood out in particular. However, PEC goalkeeper Tom de Graaff and Maarten Paes saw the opposition fail to capitalise.
Ajax still threatened with a long-range effort from Youri Regeer and a driven cross from Kian Fitz-Jim, but it was not enough to claim victory. One bright spot was the debut of Maher Carrizo shortly before full time.
PEC Zwolle - Ajax 0-0
Ajax: Paes, Rosa, Sutalo, Baas, Wijndal (77. Tomiyasu), Klaassen (61. Fitz-Jim), Regeer, Gloukh (89. Carrizo), Bounida (61. Berghuis), Weghorst (77. Dolberg), Godts.
