21 MAY 2026; Ajax - Groningen; Playoff Semifinal

[Orange14]

A bonus episode of a wandering team trying to figure out if they are worth anything. First time ever in the Eredvisie playoffs for a consolation prize of entering into the Conference League 2nd round play in. Who would have thought it last summer when we were still basking in what Farioli achieved. I am not optimistic about Ajax's chances and even if they do win they will play the winner of Utrecht - Heerenveen.

[Tom_]

I just had a scroll through our results this season.

Only once this calendar year have we won two eredivisie games in a row. That was against Heracles and NAC, who finished last and second last.

So I don’t see any reason to think we’ll beat Groningen and Heerenveen/Utrecht.

[SPL]

With Weghorst Klaassen Berghuis and Reeger playing we dont stand a chance

[Orange14]

With Weghorst Klaassen Berghuis and Reeger playing we dont stand a chance

Yes, this is pretty much it. I don't know if Dolberg is at full fitness but I would start him up front along with Carrizo on the right wing. Might as well put Gloukh at #10 and see what he can do. I would have Steur and Mokio at a double pivot. Maybe it doesn't work out but you need to look to the future instead of the past.

[SPL]

My stream Triller are showing both play offs on Thursday so of course I will watch and still hope we win. As bad as Ajax have been this season I would never miss a game .

[Orange14]

Tomiyasu, Itakura and Sutalo are all unavailable for tomorrow's match. Probably resting up for the upcoming World Cup.

[Amol]

I just had a scroll through our results this season.

Only once this calendar year have we won two eredivisie games in a row. That was against Heracles and NAC, who finished last and second last.

So I don’t see any reason to think we’ll beat Groningen and Heerenveen/Utrecht.

I knew we had a terrible season, but that's grim. No pun intended.

[SPL]

Garcia suggest they may be not wanting to play before the WC . Tomiyasu is going and hasn't been picked since his sending off so I forgive him . But the other 2 appear to be making up injuries and clearly have no love for Ajax. I want to see them sold asap and never play for us again . Reading Showtime comments I am not alone.

[SPL]

Would love to be in Volendam today . Well the afternoon in next door Edam ,which is a stunning beautiful place and then back to the Dijk for a beer or 2. Of course there is no train station and buses run to Amsterdam every 20 mins so not easy without a car.Lovely view of the ground on the official site.

[Orange14]

Good comments by Farioli on his decision to leave: https://www.ajaxshowtime.com/hoofdnieuw ... -te-werken

[Orange14]

Klaassen starts yet again along with Berghuis. Truly mind numbing and a guarantee of slow football.

[Amol]

Watching the game on and off through my meetings. We're up 2-0 at the 64th minute mark.

Is it just me or do we play slightly better with Bouwman instead of Sutalo? He seems more self-assured.

[SPL]

A win and we played well and should have won by 4 goals.Klaassen the hero and he did ok today. Still need a goalie and a no 6 ,Reeger invisible as ever .Bouwman did make one mistake a clearance and although he is not ready for regular games he still does not look worse than Sutalo or Itakura.

Just see who we have to play on Sunday and I will cheer Heerenveen tonight

[Orange14]

Ajax live on to play one more match this season. Groningen never looked threatening other than the one goal that was pegged back by VAR for offsides. Ajax were wasteful and shhould have had a couple of more goals with better finishing. Still a win is a win and Ajax looked much better than in the past several matches. Klaassen with the match winner heading in a nice cross from Godts. Mokio made sure of things with a second half volley. Defense did enough.

Player Ratings:

Paes (6.5) - did not have to do much but had one excellent save when his vision was obscured
Gaaei (6) - didn't have to worry about defending against this opponent
Bouwman (6.5) - had a good game considering this was his first playing time in several months
Baas (6.5) -decent enough
Rosa (6) - no troubled much against an inept attack
Steur (6.5) -so good with the ball
Mokio (6.5) - very nice goal to seal things
Klaassen (6) - great header for the match winner but ideally should have come off at the half as he was really laboring in the 2nd half
Berghuis (6) - decent enogh
Weghorst (6) - dealt with a lot of long kicks
Godts (6.5) - caught offsides a couple of times including once when he scored
Regeer (5.5) - on for Steur and a bit above average
Dolberg (NR) - had a couple of good touches
Carrizo (NR) - should have done better with his shot and he knew it
Tomiyasu (NR) - surprise appearance and maybe his last in an Ajax shirt

Winner of Utrect-Heerenveen back in the home away from home - Vollendam

[Amol]

Bouwman did make one mistake a clearance and although he is not ready for regular games he still does not look worse than Sutalo or Itakura.

We are yet to lose with Bouwman in the starting line up. I'll take that for what it's worth.

I've never been a fan of Sutalo and he needs to be sold this summer.

[Tom_]

Even though Groningen were poor Ajax did play a little better this game. They did a better job of playing away from the pressure to a free man and then getting the ball up the pitch.

It’s mildly irritating to finally see an improvement after the season has ended, I think the level they played here would have been good enough for 3rd or 4th.

[Amol]

Even though Groningen were poor Ajax did play a little better this game. They did a better job of playing away from the pressure to a free man and then getting the ball up the pitch.

It’s mildly irritating to finally see an improvement after the season has ended, I think the level they played here would have been good enough for 3rd or 4th.

100% agree with this. Wonder if Garcia might be a decent coach if he had a better squad to work with.

[SPL]

Ajax did indeed play a bit better .If and its a big IF we beat Utrecht ,then every fan will ask why did you not perform and beat them 2 weeks ago and probably would have given us 3rd and CL. Have to beat them first!!

[SPL]

Dolberg plays which is good but instead of Steur we have the invisible Reeger so our MF lacks creativity.Why change Steur after Thursday.

If we lose today this will be the worst season and worst Ajax team for 60 years ,the last time we did not qualify for Europe. Our likely new coach has just got relegated in Spain and without Europe we wont get decent players to come.

[SPL]

Above post in the wrong game, brain not working this morning,already 30 degrees