Ajax were unable to earn their first points of the UEFA Champions League season. In the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Benfica proved too strong, winning 0–2. The Portuguese side scored at the start and at the end of the match.
Ajax also lost their fifth match in the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening. Benfica won in the Johan Cruijff ArenA by 0-2 through goals conceded early and late in the match. In between, the Ajax players showed a decent display, but once again a result was not to be.
It was busy in Gorinchem last week, very busy, in fact. That's because Frenkie de Jong opened his own Johan Cruyff Court there, after being named Talent of the Year in 2019 as an Ajax player. "It's a special moment for me and I've been looking forward to it for a long time."
Rafael van der Vaart: a true Ajacied to this day. With his refined technique, footballing intelligence, and Amsterdam bravado, the midfielder developed into one of the best players the Netherlands has ever produced. In this in-depth portrait, we return with him to the trailer park where he was born and speak with family, friends, and former youth coaches.