The history of matches against Greek teams was in favour of Ajax. In the last eleven matches against Greek opponents, Ajax did not lose. With that in mind, the Ajax players started the first half well. In the first minutes of the match, there was danger from both sides.
Penalty for Ajax
Despite Ajax having the most ball possession in the first half, the most significant chances came from counterattacks. Carlos Forbs and Brian Brobbey were both given the opportunity to score the opening goal in the first twenty minutes of the match.
The first goal fell after thirty minutes of playing from the penalty spot. Steven Bergwijn shot the penalty he caused himself in the net: 0-1.
After the break, the match became less in favour of the Ajax players. Despite Ajax getting an excellent chance to score 0-2, the home team became increasingly stronger. After sixty minutes of playing, AEK Athens reached the right player in Ajax’s penalty box multiple times but finished those attempts poorly.
With fifteen minutes left to play, AEK Athens equalised after a goal made by Vida. The defender received the ball on his head via Nordin Amrabat. The Croat got the ball past Gorter: 1-1. Ajax looked lost for a while after that since the Greeks became more dangerous by the second.
Impressive save Gorter
Right before full-time, Gorter kept Ajax on its feet by saving an attempt by Jens Jønsson, who appeared after a mistake in the Ajax build-up. It remained 1-1 in Athens.
In France, Olympique Marseille and Brighton and Hove Albion ended their match in a 2-2 draw. AEK Athens is on top of the European group, Olympique Marseille and Ajax are leveled with two points from two matches. The English Brighton is in last place in the poule with one point after two matches. Ajax will visit the team from the English coastal town on Thursday, October 26.
AEK Athens - Ajax 1-1 (0-1)
30. Bergwijn 0-1 (pen.)
75. Vida 1-1
Ajax: Gorter, Rensch, Šutalo, Avila, Hato, Tahirović (84. Van den Boomen), Taylor, Berghuis, Forbs (84. Amourricho), Brobbey (73. Akpom), Bergwijn
