13 SEP 2025; Ajax - PEC Zwolle; Match Day 5

[Orange14]

Visitors won their first two matches of the season.

[Tom_]

Odd looking lineup on paper. Don’t like the look of the midfield - Regeer, Taylor, Klaassen.

[Orange14]

First half was really good with lots of possession and the best passing in some time. Both goals were well taken. The team lost shape in the second half and I never think it is wise to do four substitutions at one time but maybe that is why I am not a manager. The final 20 minutes was a bit of a nailbiter until Godts scored late. Overall it was the best play Ajax have had this season.

Player Ratings:

Jaros (6) - horrible pass in the 2nd half would have been punished by a better team
Gaaei (6.5) - had some good play but the shots were wild and the crosses off the mark
Itakura (7) - rock solid while on the pitch
Baas (7) - sound defending yet again and I hope he doesn't get injured
Wijndal (6.5) - had some good runs with and without the ball but his defending is non-existent
Regeer (6.5) - decent enough providing a middle outlet for passes and did not dwell on the ball for long
Taylor (6.5)- put in a good shift but took a nasty knock to his shin
Davy One Goal (7.5) - best that he has played since 2014, good in possession and passed the ball well, unfortunately he was out of gas and should have been subbed off
Berghuis (6.5) - decent as a roving player to help get the ball up field
Weghorst (6) - don't know why Heitinga kept him in for the full 90
Godts (7.5) - sparkled with the ball and his two goals made the difference
Sutalo (4) - terrible giveaway to cost the team a goal
Edvardssen (5.5) - mildly above average
Oscar (6) - finally got a chance to see him in the MF and he is very quick with the ball though his one shot was tame
McConnell (NR) - did not see much to rate him
Mokio (NR) - on late

So PSV are up next and we will see what this team is made of.

[SPL]

I went out this afternoon so did not see it live but came home did not look at any results and watched the game as if live. 1st half wasnt bad although I am not a Berghuis fan.
Klaassen did well as no 10 but ran out of steam after 60mins. Itakura clearly superior to Sutalo who came on and gave away the ball which cost a goal.

M c Connell didn't do anything and I am not happy with his signing. He will keep Mokio out and all the top EPL are after him . Maybe he will return to Liverpool in January after Heitinga , who is clueless gets the sack .

Thankfully Godts did not get sold to Besiktas this week

[Tom_]

PEC were very weak, not sure beating them tells us that much. And we were too wasteful with chances in the first half, that won’t do in the CL. I think we’ll lose to Inter but hopefully not a nasty scoreline.

[Amol]

Saw the full game a few hours after it finished. We played well for the first half, but struggled after what seemed like a tactical switch by PEC in the 2nd half.

I honestly don't know why Keizinga didn't bring Dolberg on for the last 20-30 minutes.

Godts, Baas and Itakura did really well. Berghuis and Taylor looked good as well.