There were several changes at Ajax compared to the defeated home match against Excelsior last weekend. For instance, Vitezslav Jaros returned in goal and Rayane Bounida made his first start. The latter made a strong impression, especially in the first half.
Benfica – coached by José Mourinho – took the lead early in the match. In the sixth minute the visitors threatened from a corner, but Jaros managed to save initially. The cleared ball was then struck into the top corner by Samuel Dahl: 0-1.
Ajax struggled in the match but recovered after half an hour of play. Five minutes later a big chance followed, when Rayane Bounida served the on-running Davy Klaassen with a fine ball. The Ajax midfielder struck first time, but goalkeeper Anatoliy Tribun saved at his near post.
Klaassen also had a big chance in the second half, which should have produced the 1-1. The midfielder was completely free after a square pass from Wout Weghorst and seemingly had the corner to choose from, but shot wide. Klaassen also mistimed his run slightly.
After that, Ajax had clear dominance in possession and applied real pressure, without creating many truly big chances. A minute before full-time Benfica extended their lead to 0-2: Leandro Barreiro struck into the top corner again after a counterattack.
Ajax - Benfica 0-2 (0-1)
6. Dahl 0-1
89. Barreiro 0-2
Ajax: Jaros, Regeer (83. Moro), Sutalo, Baas, Wijndal (60. Mokio), Itakura, Taylor, Klaassen (74. Fitz-Jim), Bounida (74. Gloukh), Weghorst, Godts (74. Dolberg)
