14 DEC 2025; Ajax - Feyenoord; Match Day 16

[Orange14]

The Klassiker with an empty F Side section.

[Orange14]

Players out: Baas (suspended), Sutalo, Weghorst, & Berghuis all injured, Taylor Questionable.

[Tom_]

Not expecting anything good from this. 0-0 would be a dream result.

[SPL]

Taylor also out ,Reeger Klaassen and Steur MF Itakura back at Cd , 2 teenagers start and 6 on the bench at least that is the future we must take. Would say Unuvar is a better striker than Konadu and should be on the bench.

[SPL]

Lovely goal by Davy and we are playing much better football than them.Steur looks a fine prospect.Their defence looks weak so we just have to score a2nd asap

[Tom_]

I’m sure we all had the same reaction when we saw Klaassen was starting but I definitely appreciate his one contribution to the game so far!

5 at the back is working, Feyenoord haven’t had the space to create a heap of chances. Would be great if they can keep a clean sheet, BUT I expect the game will break down and become more open in the last half hour so who knows.

[Tom_]

SPL - I’m also liking Steur. Makes such a difference having a midfielder who can pick out a *forwards* pass.

[Tom_]

Now and then you get a nice surprise. We only really gave away one or two chances, and Feyenoord were clearly exhausted in the second half. What a great result!

Very amused by the call to give Klaassen man of the match (in the ArenA) - how many times did he actually touch the ball?

[SPL]

A great performance 2 wonderful goals and we were the better side, Seeing plenty of teenagers used makes me positive for the future. 5-4-1 with Reeger in the defence made it difficult for Feyenoord and they did not get many real chances. We had a few chances on the break and it was really tense ,not helped on 85 mins when the picture was lost a couple of times. That 2nd goal finally lifted all our tension.

Fred Grim is doing a good job and has faith in kids.

[Orange14]

What a fine match from Ajax from a defensive perspective. The collective did the job, blocking shots and defending corners better than they have all season long. I think Grim now finishes the season as manager. An early goal from Klaassen left the match with some uncertainty until Mokio finished it off with a late screamer. At the end of the match lots of teenagers out on the pitch pushing for turnovers and creating chances. This is what Ajax is all about. I would not even think about transferring any players into the team at this point. Stick with this group and let the grow!!! Kudos also to Grim for making the critical substitutions to get fresh players on the pitch though Dolberg maybe should have come off earlier as he was gassed.

Player Ratings:

Jaros (6.5) - had one tough save to make and that was it as his defense came up big
Rosa (7) - had a good game defensively flipping over to the left side when Wijndal came off
Bouiwman (6.5) - would have had a higer rating had it not been for letting Ueyda get past and having to haul the striker down
Itakura (7) - rock solid
Wijndal (7) - had some dangerous runs and his defending was good for him
Regeer (7) - was calm all match long
Steur (7) - slotted in for the ill Taylor and was so smooth with the ball at his feet
Klaassen (7) - showed he can still score and it was the match winner
Oscar (6.5)- really should have scored on the header; still don't know what to make of him, he has energy but can get sloppy with the ball
Dolberg (6.5) - had a couple of half chances but most of the long kicks missed him
Godts (7) - worked hard all match and created a nice scoring opportunity but shot just wide
Gaaei (6) - decent coming on
Fitz-Jim (6) - I say keep him, he is so good in this type of situation as he handles the ball so well, too bad he didn't score
Bounida (6) - on for the final 20 minutes and did what he was supposed to do
Mokio (6) - same as Bounida and what a wonderful goal
Kanadu (NR) - on late for a tired Dolberg

Cup match in mid-week against Excelsior M and then the final match of the first half against NEC next weekend

[Amol]

What a great team performance! I'll repeat what I said the other day, keep Grim till the end of the season, if we're not going to get a great coach as a replacement. He's bold enough to play the kids!!

1. Steur is so refreshing! Sell Taylor and keep Fitz-Jim. Bank that money.
2. Bouwman was amazing as well albeit making a couple simple mistakes which is expected as his age.
3. Itakura was great and is able to fill out in 3 positions now - RCB, LCB and DM.
4. I didn't miss Sutalo. Also ok to sell him at the end of the season.
5. As long as Dolberg is fit and available, I never want to see Weghorst start another game. Konadu does enough as a sub as evidenced by the last couple games.
6. Regeer is growing on me.
7. Gloukh was solid and Bounida did great when he replaced him.
8. Godts was solid
9. Wijndal and Rosa did what was asked of them
9. Mokio is getting more minutes now and his crowned it off by that wonderful shot out of nothing.
10. As a final note - we played the entire game without Baas!! Our best defender for the last couple years.

A better team would've probably equalized, so I'd still like to see a defensive coach to help fix that.

[SPL]

Agree Orange ratings and Amol's . Seeing so many teenagers made me very happy its what Ajax is all about when you mention the name here in England.One or 2 quality signings especially a no 6 and LB and we can start to move forward .

Grim should see the season out and 2nd place can be achieved