Coach Erik ten Hag gave Devyne Rensch a place in the starting line-up for the game against the Waalwijkers. Noussair Mazraoui and Jurriën Timber were left out of the selection due to injuries. Partly because of this, there were spots on the bench for talents Liam van Gelderen and Kian Fitz-Jim.
Amsterdam milestones
Prior to the game, several Ajax players were honored for reaching significant milestones. Daley Blind and Davy Klaassen (250 games) and Nico Tagliafico and Tadic (150 games) were all celebrated.
Ajax had a difficult start, but still took a comfortable lead between the 33rd and 37th minute. Both goals came from Haller, who thus increased his total in the Eredivisie to eighteen.
In surprising fashion, Ajax lost the lead in the opening quarter of an hour after the break. The 2-1 came from Michiel Kramer, after which Richard van der Venne scored the equalizer.
Ajax had to start from scratch, hunting the 3-2 in the final phase of the game. Despite a number of threatening moments, the ball just wouldn’t find its way into the net. But late on, Antony was fouled in the box. Tadic remained ice cold from the spot to seal the win.
Ajax-RKC Waalwijk 3-2 (2-0)
33. Haller 1-0
37. Haller 2-0
50. Kramer 2-1
57. Van der Venne 2-2
90. Tadic 3-2
Ajax: Onana; Rensch (70. Tagliafico), Schuurs, Martínez, Blind; Álvarez (81. Kudus), Gravenberch (62. Klaassen), Berghuis; Antony, Haller, Tadic
