25 AUG 2019; Ajax - FC Emmen; Match Day 3

[Orange14]

Ajax take on Eredivisie first time newcomers FC Emmem this weekend. Interestingly, both keepers that Ajax have faced thus far this season have made the Team of the Week for their outstanding performances (or was it a case of just poor luck by Ajax?). Will this trend continue? Can Ajax score more than one goal in a league match?

[Cruijff]

you've made a typo or perhaps the name of this club and town is new for you.

It's FC Emmen

[Orange14]

you've made a typo or perhaps the name of this club and town is new for you.

It's FC Emmen

Typo and it's new to me. The only ones who can fix the title are the Mods. Kowalcyzk is not longer active here and I don't know about the US guy.

[Orange14]

After the match against Kiev, ten Hag talks about possible squad rotation. Tadic and de Jong both say they want to play on Saturday against Emmen! Huntelaar needs a rest but I don't know if Dolberg is ready to play even a half. Schöne clearly needs to sit out this one as he has been going 90 minutes in almost every match. Let's hope Ajax can score some goals in a league match.

[Amol]

After the match against Kiev, ten Hag talks about possible squad rotation. Tadic and de Jong both say they want to play on Saturday against Emmen!

Ten Haag should be like - "Noted. Now go ahead and sit out this match. Group hugs later."

[Cruijff]

After the match against Kiev, ten Hag talks about possible squad rotation. Tadic and de Jong both say they want to play on Saturday against Emmen!

Of course these guys want to play.
Rotation at the early begin of the season is a bad idea. I don't think that a player like Sierhuis played worse or better than Huntelaar against Heracles Almelo, but the team missed the desire to win which is absolutely necessary to conquer the first Eredivisie title since 2014 !!!

[Orange14]

Serhuis is scheduled for the Jong Ajax match today so he would only see spot duty tomorrow if that.

[Amol]

After the match against Kiev, ten Hag talks about possible squad rotation. Tadic and de Jong both say they want to play on Saturday against Emmen!

Of course these guys want to play.
Rotation at the early begin of the season is a bad idea. I don't think that a player like Sierhuis played worse or better than Huntelaar against Heracles Almelo, but the team missed the desire to win which is absolutely necessary to conquer the first Eredivisie title since 2014 !!!

I can agree with that, but if key players (e.g Huntelaar/Tadic) get hurt because of playing too many games in a short period, we really don't have any cover.

[Orange14]

2-0 at the half against a very poor side. Ziyech is playing very well.

[SPL]

A very comfortable 1st half Ziyech a fine goal and KJH in the right place again. (Think my stream on cricfree is Serbian but its a decent picture so dont care where it comes from)

[SPL]

KJH no 3 game over

[rjf1]

Nice that Tadic got his goal -- after all the work he put in all game he deserved it.

[SPL]

4-0 Tadic

[SPL]

A very easy win with some nice goals .More like a training game for us. About the only time they broke through ,75 min ,de Ligt with a superb tackle in the area.

Nice that Sierhuis and Johnsen got playing time , we are down to 16 fit 1st teamers and Tagliafico is banned for Kiev (hugh blow)

[Orange14]

Very simple 5-0 against a side that is not worthy of the Eredivise. The one strange thing was that Wöber did not get a start or even come off the bench. Tagliafico is suspended for the return tie with Dynamo so the question is how will Ajax line up defensively? Perhaps they go with a back three with de Jong dropping back to help out. I guess we will see on Tuesday. Ziyech was the MOTM with a very good game. Lots of good pressing all over the field and some easy recovered possessions.

Player Ratings (low because this opponent was so poor):

Onana (6) - had a couple of wayward kicks and I cannot remember a single save
Tagliafico (7) - very nice match going forward
Blind (6.5) - got beat badly at about the 70th minute but de Ligt bailed him out
de Light (7) - usual strong match
Kristensen (7) - played the full 90 and did so quite well
Eiting (7) - still a little hesitant when making the first pass but had a very nice cross into the box on the 4th goal
de Jong (7) - solid
van de Beek (7) - all over the field today on offense and defense
Tadic (7.5) - best transfer in a lot of years
Huntelaar (7) - got two goals that were both deserved
Ziyech (7.5) - incisive passing and strong shooting
Mazraoui (5.5) - on for de Jong in the MF
Serhuis (5) - really didn't get a chance to do much
Johnsen (5.5) - on late to play on the left wing and had a couple of nice touches

A trip to Ukraine coming up (notice the correct grammar!!) with a big CL qualifying match on Tuesday.

[souras84]

I agree with you, Blind is kinda wasted as a CB. On the other hand, that's his strong point. The ability to play in multiple positions. But where is his best? DM?

[Orange14]

I agree with you, Blind is kinda wasted as a CB. On the other hand, that's his strong point. The ability to play in multiple positions. But where is his best? DM?

I think as long as Ajax continue to use the strategy of attacking down the left flank, Blind will stay at CB. He is so good on the ball and a great passer. If you look at the pass maps his involvement with Tagliafico, de Jong and Schöne is superb. It's strange in that last year de Ligt was used way more in build up than this season and I think it's because of Blind.

It will be interesting to see what ten Hag's strategy is on Tuesday with Tagliafico missing.