23 NOV 2019; Ajax - Heracles; Match Day 14

[Orange14]

Ajax host Heracles on Saturday and then it's a short trip to take on Lille in the CL penultimate group match. With Blind and Veltman suspended for Lille, will ETH play Schuurs this Saturday? I assume Martinez may slot into the back line.

[souras84]

We could play the Spanish speaking duo in the defense, to get them used to the positions. But that would leave us with a hard riddle in the midfield. I think the problem is there is no anti-Martinez right now.

[kezme44]

looks like mazraoui got injured today playing for marocco

[souras84]

Things are getting better every day

[Orange14]

ESPN has their top 100 players listed today. Ajax have Onana, Tagliafico, van de Beek, Neres, and Tadic on the list. ETH is ranked as the 3rd best manager!! Both de Ligt and Frenkie made the list as well. de Ligt is #3 among defenders and de Jong #2 as central MF (behind N'golo Kante). This points out how special last season was for Ajax.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-espn-f ... er-players

[Orange14]

ETH at his press conference said that Veltman is out of tomorrow's match with a muscle injury. Schuurs should get the start as he is likely to play against Lille in the CL match. Eiting is on the team sheet and it will be interesting to see if he gets minutes. Alvarez has jet lag from NT duty so we will see if he plays. Mazraoui is reported as fit.

[SPL]

Schuurs playing and Labyad stays in .Hope to see us score 4 goals at least.

[SPL]

Nice goal by Quincy but we have created plenty of chances to be at least 3 or 4 ahead

[Orange14]

Nice goal but should have had another one. Defense is a little dicey. I have to pick my daughter up at the airport so will catch the second half later today.

[SPL]

4 goals but another game where we were in complete control and really should have had about 8. Defending will need to improve on Weds in Lille so hope Mazraoui will be fit.

[Tom_]

An easy win, but I’m starting to get worried about all the injuries.

[Ayman]

Only Veltman and Neres injured. Ajax have 2 games left in the CL, Neres out till the new year, Veltman should be back after mid week. So it's alright, as long as Ajax keep winning all their Eredivisie games and win the remaining two CL games, Ajax will be safe in the second half of the season and can regroup easily in January.

[Orange14]

Just finished watching the replay of the 2nd half. Very fine display of football tonight against a team that came out to play and has caused Ajax trouble in the past two seasons. In the end Ajax passing was just too good and they peppered the goal with 25 shots. Amazing 602 passes with 523 completions. Everyone with the possible exception of Dest looked like they were really enjoying things. Off to France with a CL game against Lille.

Player Ratings:

Onana (6.5) - really didn't have any difficult saves to make
Tagliafico (7) - rampaging forward and throwing his body into the box
Blind (7.5) - wonderful pass for the 2nd goal and decent defending; he will be missed against Lille
Schuurs (7) - had some very fine moments and a couple of poor defensive choices, his marauding run up field was reminiscent of de Ligt
Mazraoui (7) - very nice match until coming off with a knock, hope he is ready mid-week
Martinez (8) - one of the three best players on the pitch, stopped everything that came near him
van de Beek (7.5) - didn't get a goal but had some wonderful passes
Ziyech (9) - simply outstanding, too bad he didn't get a goal to cap off the two assists to Promes
Promes (8.5) - a little more clinical and he has four goals on the night
Tadic (7) - solid enough
Labyad (7.5) - really worked hard and good to see him on the score sheet off the pass from Blind
Dest (5) - was having a nice match until he totally botched control sending the striker in on goal and then had another bad play near the end of time, unfortunate to have the goal taken away
Huntelaar (5) - right place for a carom off his leg to get on the scoresheet
Maran (NR)

Lille coming up followed by a trip to Enschede to play FC Twente