02 OCT 2019; Valencia - Ajax; CL Group Match 2

[Orange14]

Ajax travel to Valencia to take on a team in turmoil. Valencia sacked their popular manager several weeks ago and appear to be barely functioning. They beat Chelsea in the first group stage match but then had two draws in the league against inferior opposition before beating Athletic Club this past weekend. Former Ajax keeper, Jasper Cillessen, will be between the stakes.

I don't know if ETH will revert to a more defensive set up with Alvarez and Matinez in the MF or go with the attacking approach that faced Groningen yesterday. It would be great if Ajax can come away with a win but their defense has been a mixed bag and it's entirely possible for Valencia to poach a goal on a break away.

[Ayman]

Valencia are doing well, despite their circumstances. An away win to Bilbao, Chelsea. I would be more than happy with a draw for this one.

[rjf1]

Our U19s won their match 3-5. Here's hoping that it will inspire the big boys to win theirs. This is yet another 'wee hours of the morning' match for me, so I'll have to rely on the comments and highlights tomorrow. Here's looking forward to a good outcome.

[Amol]

I'm expecting a 1-2 win for us, hoping for a 1-3.

[Ayman]

The most Ajax can hope for is a draw. Just hope the other game ends in a draw, although Chelsea are far stronger than Lille on paper, wouldn't be surprised if they won there.

[Ayman]

Neres has been dropped from the starting line up. Onana, Dest, Veltman, Blind, Tagliafico, Alvarez, van de Beek, Martinez, Ziyech, Tadic, Promes.

[Ayman]

What a start, almost there in the first minute!

[Tom_]

Wow! Where did that come from?

[Orange14]

Golazzo!

[Ayman]

That was such a let off. The penalty miss was way over though. Piss poor

[kezme44]

2-0!!!!

[Tom_]

Ha! 2-0!

We're not playing very well though. Dest has been really poor. All the trouble is coming down his side. I think we'll see Mazraoui in the second half. But that was a terrible foul by Alvarez on the penalty, I have no idea why he even went for the tackle.

Anyway, luckily for us, Valencia are crap - maybe less than Willem II standard? Basically just kick the ball towards the front then fall over and hope for a foul. Their midfield is particularly shite. Did they qualify directly for the group stage? Makes you wonder about the competition.

[Orange14]

WOW. Both teams could have had 4 goals the way they were playing. Don't know how Ajax have kept a clean sheet so far. Ziyech with a wonder strike and then great interior passing to free Promes for the goal. Somehow I don't think this ends up 0-2.

[kezme44]

dest having lots of trouble down his side. he's getting outpassed and outmoved. we were very lucky not to concede. valancia passing nicely and breaking down the defense. need to weather the storm when they come from the break...

[Orange14]

Ha! 2-0!

We're not playing very well though. Dest has been really poor. All the trouble is coming down his side. I think we'll see Mazraoui in the second half.

Mazraoui is not in the squad for the match. Dest goes all the way unless Alvarez drops back.

[SPL]

A great 45 mins with a beauty by Ziyech. Could have had a couple more but they still look dangerous on the break

[Tom_]

Oh right. I missed that. I suppose ten Hag could move Veltman to RB but that’s also a risk since he’s on a yellow. Hmm.

[kezme44]

another 2 massive chances for valencia

[Ayman]

What a save by Onana!

[Tom_]

Now that's a goal! Awesome combination

[Ayman]

Donny! All over surely.

[Tom_]

Classic weird UEFA refereeing - Valencia players diving all over the place, but Promes gets a yellow for jogging off the wrong side of the pitch when it's 3-0. OK then ref.

[Amol]

Classic weird UEFA refereeing - Valencia players diving all over the place, but Promes gets a yellow for jogging off the wrong side of the pitch when it's 3-0. OK then ref.

To be fair - the ref told him to run to the nearest sideline and also pointed it out to him twice. Promes neglected his advice and got a card.

That was a new rule change this year - sub out to the nearest touch line.

[Tom_]

I know. I'm not saying it's not a yellow. But diving has been a yellow for 20 years. Ref was happy to wave his naughty finger for all the dives.

[Amol]

I know. I'm not saying it's not a yellow. But diving has been a yellow for 20 years. Ref was happy to wave his naughty finger for all the dives.

Good point. I only saw the last 20 minutes so missed all the diving. Missed all our goals of course