20 MAR 2016 PSV - Ajax Match Day 28

[Orange14]

After a disappointing match against PSV and throwing away an opportunity to move top of the table, Ajax travel to Eindhoven to play for the lead. PSV have a CL fixture against Athletico to contend with. Six matches remain for each club following the Eindhoven match with PSV probably having a more difficult schedule. They are away to AZ right after the international break and also have a home match to Vitesse. Ajax have a home match against Utrecht but the remaining matches should be winnable.

Will FdB put out the same lineup that other than Milik and Younes disappointed yesterday? While I am usually an optimist, I do think Cocu will have PSV ready to play a hard match. Providing they don't suffer any injuries against Athletico, I think PSV will be the superior side.

[Tom_]

Hope Frank has his 'Hungry Lions' video ready... We'll need all the help we can get!

[SPL]

v Rhijn had a decent game last night ,I would play him in this game and move Veltman back to Cd.Who drops out? Take your pick both v d Hoorn and Viergever are not good enough.

With a 2 week break after this game it may well be Tete will then be fit which will be great news ,we will then have 2 players available who can defend ie Tete and Veltman.

[Orange14]

v Rhijn had a decent game last night ,I would play him in this game and move Veltman back to Cd.Who drops out? Take your pick both v d Hoorn and Viergever are not good enough.

I'm not sure that van Rhijn can deal with PSV's left side. Willems, their LB, is really fast and has great corners.

[SPL]

Fair point maybe I am over reacting to our 2 poor Cd's. V Rhijn is a poor defender.Maybe keep the same back 4 for this game and hope Tete will be back after Easter.

[Orange14]

@SPL - I know where you are coming from and we certainly are at risk with the current back line. I just am unsure that van Rhijn is the answer. I worry about a major mistake by van der Hoorn. I have more confidence in Viergever.

[King Litti]

So, what to make of PSV's game in the CL. At least they had to travel, play 120 minutes and suffer a bitter defeat at penalties so I'm sure they are a bit tired physically and mentally. Though they might be now even more determined to win the domestic title since they are out of Europe. They are no joke that's for sure. I don't think we could have given Atletico such a hard time. We have to be at our best to win this one. Huge game. I would prefer Veltman as a central defender, but the fact that van Rhijn hasn't played that much is a problem. Not sure is he ready to step in to game of this magnitude.

[Tom_]

Personally I can't see how the CL game would seriously affect PSV physically. They are professional athletes with a team of docs and coaches; surely they can manage two football games in 5 days? I have the feeling they will destroy us, but you never know.

[Cruijff]

Personally I can't see how the CL game would seriously affect PSV physically. They are professional athletes with a team of docs and coaches; surely they can manage two football games in 5 days? I have the feeling they will destroy us, but you never know.

Yes, physically they should just be able two play 2 games in 5 days ( altough their 'leader' Luuk de Jong asked for a substitution yesterday because he could not hold it 2 more minutes ) but in the mental aspect they seem weak. Why did they play so bad against Heerenveen last Saturday? Not enough focus on Eredivisie with a CL game coming??

In the mental aspect you see that teams start doubting in football. If Ajax makes it a rough game or scores an early (or just a late goal) the disappointment of not only getting eliminated this week in Champions League but perhaps even missing the CL next season will rise up for PSV.

[Tom_]

Let's hope that's exactly what happens!

[SPL]

Unchanged 18 ie everyone apart from Tete and Riedewald are fit

[Dave the mac]

Am still in a state of shock after losing the NGSN site as well as the home draw vs. NEC.
Looks like I'm back to waking up in the middle of the night to watch Ajax.
Let's hope for a good game and a great result.

[Orange14]

Am still in a state of shock after losing the NGSN site as well as the home draw vs. NEC.
Looks like I'm back to waking up in the middle of the night to watch Ajax.
Let's hope for a good game and a great result.

If you have cable TV Univision Desportes will carry the match at the scheduled time. This is usually a premium sports channel and part of a package on Verizon where I live that includes BeIn Sports and a couple of other soccer channels. Matches are broadcast in Spanish.

[rjf1]

Well, this looks to be the 'make or break' day as far as the title goes. Given our last game, I don't have a great deal of optimism, but there's always a chance we will come through. Maybe Frank has a secret game plan that he has been keeping under wraps for just this occasion -- maybe. Anyway, all we can do is watch and hope for the best.

[SPL]

well game is on ,same line up as last week ie Schone starts again.I would accept a draw on recent form.for us to win the title we have to win this.

[SPL]

What a start,what a goal

[rjf1]

That was a nice way to start -- hope springs eternal.

[Tom_]

Anyone got a working stream?

[Cruijff]

Probably if you go to the websites you normally find a stream working ones will now be listed there, Tom.

Great goal and especially a great cross by Veltman. When Tete returns we should consider to put Tete in the team as a central defender and let Veltman keep his position as rightback as he is playing the best matches of his career there now.

[Tom_]

I haven't needed a stream in ages so I don't know what the current sites are ;) But I found one via reddit

[SPL]

cricfree.tv will always carry lots of streams

[King Litti]

We really need to get in to this match with longer periodes of holding the ball. Can't see us holding on to our lead with this rate. Pretty much constant pressure by PSV. We need to see the ball visit their end for a change.

[King Litti]

How was that a yellow?

[SPL]

Well a great start for us but Milik had 2 great chances at the end .In between we have been on the back foot ,lucky Bazoer did not give away a penalty . Also alot of poor passes.

[Orange14]

Ajax are playing this match on a knife's edge hoping that the excellent Milik goal will hold up. Milik had a couple of other chances one well saved by Zoet and the one at the whistle shot wide of the frame. I honestly don't know whether FdB thinks the one goal lead will hold up but Ajax are doing their best to imitate a 1980s Italian team that is just lobbing the ball up the pitch and then dropping back to defend. If this is the strategy, it's not going to work.

Younes had one good run but otherwise dribbled into pressure and didn't drop back fast enough to help out Dijks who is being left all alone to defend the left side. Klaassen's touch has been awful though he is playing decent defense. Schöne is way too slow for this match and I think we will see el Ghazi soon.

Finally this pitch seems to be every bit as slippery as that in the Arena.