16 MAR 2017 Ajax - FC Copenhagen Europa League

[Orange14]

It's put up or shut up time this Thursday evening. Will Ajax's European adventure continue? Can they score and hold Copenhagen with a clean sheet by Onana? How will the MF do in the absence of El Capitan who is suspended for the match? All will be revealed.

[Ayman]

It's worth noting that the captain of Copenhagen, Mathias Jorgensen, a key defender, is suspended for this game.

[SPL]

Nouri and de Jong playing tonight so v d Beek will replace Klaassen. de Jong is looked on as a Schone replacement and Nouri Ziyech ,so why wasn't Nouri played instead of Ziyech last thursday!! Maybe Bosz looked at the size of the Copenhagen players and decided v d Beek was a bigger more physical player for that game .

[Ayman]

Interesting analysis here.
The Netherlands are facing some very important hours at the time I write this. This night, the future of our nation will officially be decided.

F*ck that. Let’s talk some football.

I am really, really nervous for Thursday. Usually, right before we get kicked out of Europe, I get this weird feeling, and I got it again today. That feeling, of course being confidence. I sincerely feel Ajax are strong favourites to proceed to the quarter finals of the Europa League. Which is weird, because Copenhagen are showing all the characteristics of an Ajax-boogeyman. Let’s run through the checklist.

First of all, we were all sort of relieved when Copenhagen was drawn two weeks ago. It wasn’t Manchester United, or Rostov, or the amazing Lyon and Roma. Hardly any draw could have been better than Copenhagen. Which is, coincidentally, the exact same way I felt about Rostov earlier this year, Steaua Bucarest three years ago, Salzburg (I didn’t know, really) and Dnjepr Dnjepropetrovsk (typed that one without looking it up, I swear).

Step two. Do you know any of the players of your opponent? I hardly know anyone from Copenhagen, besides Boilesen, Zanka and Cornelius. I didn’t know anyone from Salzburg (Sadio Mané, who?), Bucarest (still don’t), Rostov (really, no-one) or Dnjepr (besides Konoplyanka, and look how that turned out). All those really unknown players ended up destroying the hyped-up Ajax-youngsters.
Read more in the link

http://ajaxdaily.com/2017/its-time-we-b ... openhagen/

[SPL]

I am not convinced we will win,very much fingers crossed.

Apart from Klaassen suspended Nouri Riedewald and Cassierra are not included. Nouri had picked up an injury and was doubtful this morning so clearly not being risked. Traore would be back up for Dolberg as striker with Neres and Kluivert
cover on the wings.

Westermann included and not Riedewald defies logic. Riedewald will sadly leave this summer,if he cannot get a place ahead of Westermann he is wasting his time here.

[Ayman]

I am not convinced we will win,very much fingers crossed.

Apart from Klaassen suspended Nouri Riedewald and Cassierra are not included. Nouri had picked up an injury and was doubtful this morning so clearly not being risked. Traore would be back up for Dolberg as striker with Neres and Kluivert
cover on the wings.

Westermann included and not Riedewald defies logic. Riedewald will sadly leave this summer,if he cannot get a place ahead of Westermann he is wasting his time here.

You sure Reidewald doesn't have a slight injury?

[SPL]

No mention of any injury to Riedewald.20 years old an International and not good enough for our bench!!

[Orange14]

For those in the US, it looks like ESPN3 (the webcast) will carry today's match. Their streams are usually of very high quality. I share SPL's thoughts on this game.

[Ayman]

No mention of any injury to Riedewald.20 years old an International and not good enough for our bench!!

I'm trying to figure it out.perhaps poor performance in training?

[Ayman]

AjaxDaily @ajaxdailydotcom
According to @telegraaf, De Ligt and Van de Beek are likely to replace Viergever and Klaassen in the starting XI against Copenhagen tonight.

[SPL]

Reports today that Riedewald wants to leave in the summer. With Tete also wanting out ,Westermann also likely to go, the only backups we have are teenagers . And Nouri and de Jong surely wont want to stay next season just to play for Jong and sit on our bench with next to no playing time.

Our squad is a bit shambolic. Some first teamers are struggling but keep being picked but all the experienced back up that started the season will be gone by the summer. A win tonight and a win v Feyenoord in 2 weeks are musts as it keeps our season alive.

If we go out tonight and dont beat Feyenoord our season will be over and questions will then be asked of Bosz.

[King Litti]

I have gotten a sense that Nuori etc. are Ajax guys at heart, so I think they will have the patience to wait for their time cause they know it will come soon enough.

As for the game, I think it will be a nail biter. The second away goal would have been so important. Then they would have had to be the one to score. Now we're under pressure.

If we play like we did against them in the second half in denmark we should have a chance to score those goals. It's the defence I'm slightly worried about. A clean sheet would be a dream but i dont think we can concede more than one to go trough (though look at barca and we thaught them everything they know).

[SPL]

de Ligt partners Sanchez and Viergever at LB in place of Sinkgraven .Donny for Klaassen

[Tom_]

And Bosz confirmed that Riedewald was left out rather than injured in case Westermann is needed at the end of the game "for his heading ability"... OK then

[SPL]

Talking about our defenders leaving I just read Barca want Sanchez this summer. That could see us with just de Ligt ,Viergever and Sinkgraven left!

Back to tonight playing de Ligt and moving Viergever makes us stronger.

[Orange14]

I guess I am turning into an apathetic Ajax supporter. I really do not like much of what Bosz is doing and am disappointed that the senior management is making such a hash of things. I hope the club does well tonight but if they don't the world won't come to an end. I didn't use to feel this way.

The only good thing is that we have good Spanish announcers on ESPN who have great Goooooooooooooooooooal calls.

[Ayman]

I guess I am turning into an apathetic Ajax supporter. I really do not like much of what Bosz is doing and am disappointed that the senior management is making such a hash of things. I hope the club does well tonight but if they don't the world won't come to an end. I didn't use to feel this way.

The only good thing is that we have good Spanish announcers on ESPN who have great Goooooooooooooooooooal calls.

I hear you, that que Sara Sara feeling. It's funny in my first season as an Ajax supporter, around this time 20 years ago, I was anticipating an Ajax away game against atletico Madrid in the quarter finals of the champions league. The words, How the almighty have fallen, come to mind. Ironically that was supposed to be a nightmare of a season, it was, in comparison to a season or two ago, but compared to today. I'd take that 'nightmare season' over this season any day

[Ayman]

Goal! Traore!

[Tom_]

Be good to stop giving these FKs away

[Tom_]

2–0!

[Orange14]

Nice first goal put away by Traore off the save and a PK at the final seconds of the first half for the 2-0 lead. I still don't understand why Ajax has so much trouble bringing the ball up. Copenhagen are playing all 10 men up high and two quick passes are all that's needed to send someone in on goal. Also, what's up with all the short corners?

[SPL]

Traore on the ball to score a good goal and then the Iceboy puts away apen.We should get through ,our best 4 defenders now out there.

[Ayman]

It's worth mentioning that Ajax have scored their 600th goal in all European competition

[SPL]

I believe its our 500th game in the Arena.Lets soon score no 601

[Orange14]

Yes, Nicolai Boilesen finally healthy for a match in the Arena and comes on for Copenhagen!!!!