It's a busy time for Ajax. Ajax have a midweek fixture for the third week in a row. Maccabi Tel Aviv are their opponents this week, on Thursday evening at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.
Ajax has got off to a good start in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League, with seven points from three games — unlike their upcoming opponents. Maccabi Tel Aviv still have no points.
The Ajax players hope to continue their good form in front of a home crowd. The last six matches have all ended in victory.
The Ajax squad spent the day before the match putting finishing touches to their preparations. Our photographer was there and got some great shots of the final training session.
After a fantastic week with wins over Willem II, Feyenoord, and PSV, Ajax is already preparing for its next challenge: hosting Maccabi Tel Aviv this Thursday in the UEFA Europa League. Shifting focus is crucial, as head coach Francesco Farioli emphasized in the pre-match press conference. "I understand that the atmosphere around Ajax has become more positive from the outside. But we’re still fully committed to the same long-term process together."
Ajax enjoyed an incredibly successful week with victories over Feyenoord and league leaders PSV. Chuba Akpom started in both matches and reflects back with a big smile: “It felt great to be out on the pitch, fighting for the boys.” Up next: the homegame against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Ajax was trailing 1-2 against PSV when Mika Godts was called to the touchline. For an hour, Jorrel Hato and Chuba Akpom had been making life difficult for PSV’s right-back Rick Karsdorp on the left flank. Godts was then given half an hour by manager Francesco Farioli to make his mark against the league leaders—and he did exactly that.