13 SEP 2020; Sparta - Ajax; Match Day One

[Orange14]

Time to get the red and white shirts laundered and ready to put on. Following an abbreviated Eredivisie season, Ajax travel to Rotterdam to take on Sparta. The team roster is still not set and it's possible a couple of players could leave and perhaps one come in. It will be great to be able to watch a great team play fast, beautiful football. I'm looking forward to Ajax hoisting the Champions League trophy in Istanbul next spring!

[Tom_]

I am *definitely* ready to see a game of football. I’ll probably stay up late for this one.

[GangstaRiB]

Hope the lads can show the same kind of form as during the friendlies, because we looked pretty good in those games! Normally Sparta should be a weaker opponent than those we’ve met pre-season. I expect 3 point and hopefully some solid attacking play. We also should keep a clean sheet against opponents like Sparta. That will be an indicator of how strong we are.

[souras84]

Hope the lads can show the same kind of form as during the friendlies, because we looked pretty good in those games! Normally Sparta should be a weaker opponent than those we’ve met pre-season. I expect 3 point and hopefully some solid attacking play. We also should keep a clean sheet against opponents like Sparta. That will be an indicator of how strong we are.

Let's hope you're right! I believe either PSV or Feyenoord and maybe AZ, will be close to us until SuperJan(uary) (not Vertonghen). So any missed points can be decisive to the title battle, that who knows? It could end sooner again

[Tom_]

I wonder what we’ll see this season! I watched the highlights of the weekend’s kampioen divisie matches and they were all super messy. I’m guessing teams aren’t prepared and squads aren’t complete like they normally would be. Could be an extra random element in the first few months back in action.

[Ayman]

This game should be a breeze, it will be a good opportunity to see who would fit as a number 10, likely Promes, although he hasn't been effective in that position, hope he manages to adjust. as for the midfield with Gravenberch, this concerning as is the left side of defense.

[Amol]

Extremely ready to see a competitive Ajax game again.

Should be a reasonably easy fixture against Sparta. Hoping to see a 3-0/4-0.

Also hoping that we don't see any more outgoing transfers from here on out.

[SPL]

So first proper game since 7th March. Labyad striker,Tadic wing and Promes no10 and Mazraoui for Dest.Should win this.

[kezme44]

Whooo finally!

[kezme44]

what a ridiculous call on the red. what a joke

[SPL]

red card a complete joke

[kezme44]

1-0. Lets get a second. And fuck you ref.

[Orange14]

Kamphuis got the call wrong without question. Yellow card yes, but now way is it a direct obstruction of a goal scoring opportunity. I guess that VAR deferred to the on the field call. Good goal by Antony and now another 45 minutes of defending in store.

As Cruyff famously said, Playing against 10 is harder than playing against 11 players. You know why? The team with 11 will think “ok, we can take it easy now”, while the team with 10 will think “we really have to work hard now”…

[SPL]

Delight to get a goal after a dreadful ref blunder.

[Amol]

We were almost sleepwalking before the red card. Kamphuis always seems to have bad games against us and that was totally not a red.

We are looking better after going down to 10 men.

2nd half now. Hup Ajax!!

[kezme44]

one to forget due to horrific refereeing. glad to see Alvarez ans schuurs played well and Antony getting his first official goal

[rjf1]

Not the type of game we were hoping for, but a terrific performance nonetheless.

[saddlerian]

Excellent display, even though one player short due to "minor club being unable to have VAR"...(red card must be cancelled)...very impressed with the way that Ajax pressed...lets see more of this!!! (sitting in St Petersburg bar, drinking Vasilieostrofsky dark...with an Ajax shirt on)!!!!

[SPL]

Utterly boring game. 2 points on the game,the ref tried to cheat us with a dreadful decision and we actually got a goal ,superb by Antony.

We will take 3 points from 60 mins of 10 men but Sparta were awful.

[GangstaRiB]

First game of the season, an unexpected red card... but getting the win in the end is what counts. Although I was worried how Tadic and Promes played in the 2nd half and putting Labyad in the starting 11. Don't loose sleep over this game, but we certainly need to improve.

[Amol]

That was so unnecessary. Incorrect red card plus plastic pitch destroyed any chance of a good flowing game today.

[Orange14]

The match was decided at the half hour mark with a very poor call by Kamphuis who sent Tagiiafico off for a hand ball and a denial of a goal scoring opportunity. Because Tagliafico had good position and blocked off the Sparta player I don't see how the call can be given. I assume that VAR deferred to the on field call. Antony had a very nice goal seven minutes later for the match winner. The Ajax defenders had it all to do for an hour longer and they played quite well. Onana only had a few pedestrian saves to make. It was good to see supporters in the stands!!

Player Ratings:
Onana (6.5) - no difficult saves to make and managed the clock well when Ajax were down to 10 men
Tagliafico (5.5) - decent enough when he was on the field and was unfairly sent off
Blind (7.5) - stalwart defending on the left side today
Schuurs (7.5) - equally as strong on the right
Mazraoui (6) - it seemed as if most of the Sparta attack went down the other side and he came off late in the match
Alvarez (7) - strong game and defended well as he had to
Gravenberch (6.5) - foolish Yellow early on but kept his head and didn't make any rash challenges; had a couple of shots but missed being on target
Promes (6) - had one chance on a ball over the top but could not control the pass; did a decent job defending
Tadich (6.5) - had some good moments with the ball but it's always hard being down a man to mount an offense
Labyad (5.5) - had to come off for Dest because of the Red Card
Antony (7.5) - worked very hard all match long on both offense and tracking back, scored the match winner
Dest (6.5) - decent match coming on but had a few turnovers when he should have been more protective
Neres (6) - had a couple of sparkling moments with the ball
J. Timber (NR) - on late
Traore (NR) - on late

Home opener next week against RKC Waalwijk

[saddlerian]

VAR???????

[Orange14]

Excellent display, even though one player short due to "minor club being unable to have VAR"...(red card must be cancelled)..

All the Dutch matches have VAR. I suspect that VAR felt it was an on the field decision. I am pretty sure that the card will not be overturned as only serious violent play Red Cards can be changed (I may be wrong)

[Orange14]

VAR???????

On the US television feed they showed the VAR center at Zeist during the match on an off-sides call late in the 2nd half. I assume that is what you are asking about.