Ajax has to do without Nicolás Tagliafico in the away match against AZ on Sunday. The left back sustained an eye wound on Thursday during the home game with Willem II (3-1).
Tagliafico hit the back of the head of Willem II attacker Vangelis Pavlidis just before half-time in a head duel. Despite a large egg under his right eye, he could initially continue to play, but had to be replaced twenty minutes before the end because he saw less and less because of the swelling.
Lisandro Martínez came on as a replacement for Tagliafico and there is a good chance that he will act as a left back against AZ. Martínez was often assured of a basic place in midfield last season, but he has to settle for a place on the bench this year.
Ajax also has an almost fit selection against AZ. Besides Tagliafico probably only Mohammed Kudus is missing. The midfielder had recovered from a serious knee injury after the winter break, but was hit again against PSV. He did resume group training this week.
Ten Hag is not concerned with the consequences of the title battle
Ajax can put AZ at an almost irreconcilable disadvantage in the battle for the title in the Eredivisie. The team from Amsterdam takes the lead after nineteen rounds of play and is already ten points ahead of number four AZ.
“There are still many games to play”, Ten Hag said on Friday Ajax TV. “Of course we are in a good series and we want to continue it. We want to win, but especially also play good football. We are going to Alkmaar with that attitude.
The top match between AZ and Ajax starts on Sunday at 4.45 pm in the empty AFAS Stadium and is led by referee Bas Nijhuis. Both teams also faced each other a week and a half ago in Alkmaar and then Ajax won 0-1 in the eighth finals of the TOTO KNVB Cup tournament.
View the program, the results and the position in the Eredivisie
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