19 FEB 2023; Sparta - Ajax; Match Day 22

[Orange14]

Ajax host Sparta who are surprisingly in fifth place in the Eredivisie. Let's hope that Ajax can score some goals. Lackluster PSV who were horrible against Sevilla travel to Utrecht while the two top teams, Feyenoord and AZ play tomorrow in Rotterdam.

[SPL]

Hope Feyenoord v AZ is a draw ,if we then win we will be 2 points off top.

[Orange14]

Feyenoord got a late winner to beat AZ 2-1. With a win over Sparta we move into 2nd. I still think it will come down to the last match day. There is an interesting rumor that PSV are looking to bring on Peter Bosz and sack Ruud.

[SPL]

PSV just drew at Utrecht so lets just win today. Klaassen for Bassey with Alvarez back at CD

[Orange14]

Best first half of football in some time. Good passing and both goals were nicely taken.

[SPL]

Agree ,has so far been a good performance by Ajax,their best first half for a long time.

[SPL]

Once Tadic got the penalty to make it 3-0 it was game over but a beautiful goal by Kudus.A good overall performance by Ajax against the no 6 in the league.Still dont think Wijndal is special and is he really a lot better than 16 year old Hato!!

Bergwijn worked hard and was desperate for a goal ,which will come.Taylor a good game but Tadic with 2 goals and an assist is playing very well at that 9 position.

Only moan of the weekend was Feyenoord getting that late winner.

PS 2 moans, how on earth do refs work out ET. 3 mins in 2nd half but apart from the subs , we had 2 injured treatments and the VAR must have been 3 mins so really 8 or 9 mins . No issue as we won but a bit of a joke only 3mins.

[Orange14]

Maybe the best game of this new year. Ajax were pretty dominant through out and defended well with Rulli only having to make a couple of saves. Still three points out of first but moved ahead of AZ who lost to Feyenoord yesterday. Every player was above average on the day and Tadic got his 100th goal in Ajax colors with the PK. Union Berlin only managed a home nil draw against bottom of the table Schalke.

Player Ratings:

Rulli (6.5) - had pretty much routine saves to make and was good with his ball distribution
Rensch (6.5) - played well today on both sides of the ball but needs to do better on over laps
Timber (7) - solid game and had a couple of fine offensive moves into the box forcing a good save
Alvarez (7) - good game on the back line
Wijndal (7) - best game for Ajax with some forceful runs down the left side
Taylor (7) - very good game on the ball today, did not hesitate with his passing and scored a fine goal
Berghuis (7) - solid match
Klaassen (7) - good pressing and his ball handling and pressing were good
Kudus (7.5) - wonderful goal near the end that allowed him to pull his shirt up and show the sign of remembrance for his Ghanaian teammate Atsu who perished in the Turkey earthquake.
Tadic (7.5) - good game both in the middle and on the left wing with two goals
Bergwijn (7) - came alive with some good movement and shots that forced saves
Brobbey (6) - decent coming on as a sub
Bassey (6) - on for Alvarez and defended well
Conceicao (NR) - on late
Hato (NR) - on late
Grillitsch (NR) - on late

All to play for on Thursday to keep the Europe dream alive and then away to Vitesse next Sunday.

[SPL]

5 players used all 21 and under and from our academy which is a good sign.

[souras84]

PS 2 moans, how on earth do refs work out ET. 3 mins in 2nd half but apart from the subs , we had 2 injured treatments and the VAR must have been 3 mins so really 8 or 9 mins . No issue as we won but a bit of a joke only 3mins.

and an other one. How weren't both fouls on Berghuis and Brobbey penalties!!!!

[Tom_]

I enjoyed this game too (watched on delay without seeing the result). There’s a chance the gap could still be 3 points when Feyenoord come to the ArenA in about 4 weeks.