07 AUG 2018; Standard Liege - Ajax; CL Qualifying

[SPL]

Poor 2nd half, Ziyech a miss and KJH should have passed to Labyad but they had chances and looked more dangerous as it went on. Mazraoui just caught the guys ankle ,he went down penalty.

We must win next week although a 0-0 or 1-1 will do. At least we are in the Europa group stages so will play in Europe this winter

[Orange14]

On a hot night in Liege, Ajax disappointed once again in European qualifying giving up a two goal advantage and escaping with a 2-2 draw. Truth be told, Ajax were outplayed and fortunate that Standard players were taking lots of shots that never were on frame. Onana made only one real save that I counted. Both Ajax fullbacks were poor on the night. Tagliafico picked up a Yellow card and is suspended for the return match. Mazraoui conceded a penalty in added time though it looked like the slightest of heel clips. I don't understand ten Hag's substitutions, bringing on Labyad early rather than van de Beek and leaving Schöne on the pitch so long. Ajax had several chances in the 2nd half to get the third away goal but it wasn't to be. More troubling was how careless Ajax was with the ball in the waning stages of the game. Possession is paramount and they missed that lesson in school.

Player Ratings:

Onana (6.5) - hardly had anything to do
Tagliafico (4.5) - had trouble defending and got a careless Yellow Card
Blind (6.5) - decent enough for the fully match
de Ligt (7) - really strong play in the second half after an almost costly error in the first
Mazraoui (4.5) - found wanting in the final 20 minutes as he was beaten several times and finally conceding a penalty
Schöne (5) - one really poor pass in the 2nd half that should have been punished
de Jong (6) - OK but really didn't put a stamp on the game
Ziyech (6) - should have handled the 2 on 1 break away better and one wonders how much longer he will be on the team
Neres (6) - good pass to Tadic for goal 2 but that was it; he seems stranded on the left after playing all last season on the right side
Huntelaar (7) - yeoman's performance and looked pretty fresh into added time
Tadic (7) - probably the best Ajax player on the pitch
Labyad (5) - one wild shot from distance and that was it
Eiting (4.5) - some dicey defending
van de Beek (5) - should have been on much earlier

All the top teams in action tonight drew with their opponents. Ajax have two valuable away goals but Standard look capable of scoring in the return match. Flip a coin and pick a team that's what it looks like for next week.

[SPL]

Both full backs very poor .Mazraoui is a midfielder but has Tagliafico had enough time off since the WC ,he was very poor last night.Schone too has had little time off since WC.

[Manneken Pis]

I actually got to go to the game as Ajax were in Belgium for once!

Our full backs were awful as already noted, but beyond that Standard were a better team than the players expected I reckon. They were faster, seemed more up for the game, and deserved a draw on the balance of things. Also the home end at Liège is an impressive "wall of sound" which away teams who don't know about it can be jolted by. It's by far the most atmospheric stadium in Belgium even when 3/4 full like last night. I don't think they've been beaten at home for 12 months or something like that.

[Cruijff]

I actually got to go to the game as Ajax were in Belgium for once!

Our full backs were awful as already noted, but beyond that Standard were a better team than the players expected I reckon. They were faster, seemed more up for the game, and deserved a draw on the balance of things. Also the home end at Liège is an impressive "wall of sound" which away teams who don't know about it can be jolted by. It's by far the most atmospheric stadium in Belgium even when 3/4 full like last night.

True.
I've also attended some games at "Sclessin" in the past. Impressive atmosphere.