On the day of his eighteenth birthday, Jorrel Hato played with Ajax in a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa. “Of course I would have loved to win, that would really be something to celebrate, but I can live with it," said the defender after the final whistle. "I think we performed well as a team."
Sivert Mannsverk made his European starting debut for Ajax on Thursday night. He described it as a proud moment for him and his family. The Ajax player wasn't entirely satisfied with his own performance but was pleased with the team's overall effort. "The structure is getting better and better. The most important thing in a team is that you trust each other."
Ajax – Aston Villa ended in a scoreless draw. Although the scoreline suggests otherwise, it was an engaging match in the Johan Cruyff ArenA. The return match in the UEFA Conference League round of 16 will be played next week in Birmingham.
The meeting between Ajax and Aston Villa in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday evening is extra special for former Ajax player Bertrand Traoré. The elegant player from Burkina Faso has been under contract with both clubs. He holds warm memories of his time in Amsterdam and expects a spectacle in the Johan Cruyff ArenA.