With a blush of shame, Ajax has reached the group stage of the Europa League. Maurice Steijn’s team lost the home game of the play-offs with Ludogorets (0-1), after a 4-1 win in Bulgaria last week. The disappointed fans in the full Johan Cruijff ArenA whistled loudly at their players after the final whistle.
Ajax did anything but succeed in reassuring its own supporters. German director of football affairs Sven Mislintat has already brought no less than ten new players to Amsterdam. Number eleven, the Norwegian midfielder Sivert Mannsverk, is on his way.
Newbies
Most fans of last season’s number 3 had only ever heard of Branco van den Boomen, the only asset with a Dutch passport. They probably didn’t know about the other purchases. They also don’t know what to think of a technical director who takes players from the second division of England, France and Germany.
Also for the new trainer Steijn, the season actually starts next Sunday during an away match against Fortuna Sittard. He can then call on the newcomers Josip Sutalo, Chuba Akpom, Gastón Ávila and Georges Mikautadze for the first time. In the weeks that follow, he has to turn the many acquisitions into a successful team.
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Ajax continues in Europa League despite disgrace against Ludogorets
Ajax has lost a lot of quality after a disappointing season, with the departure of Dusan Tadic, Jurriën Timber, Edson Álvarez and Mohammed Kudus. Nevertheless, according to director Mislintat, the club has a selection to compete for prizes. That was not yet visible in the home match against Ludogorets.
Slow tempo
With a 4-1 lead in their pocket, Ajax could not entertain the crowd in the packed Johan Cruijff ArenA. The home team played sloppy and at a slow pace. Attackers Brian Brobbey and Steven Bergwijn hardly went deep and mainly came to the ball. Carlos Forbs, who came over from Manchester City for 14 million euros, is lightning fast but also erratic.
Steven Berghuis, ill the past few days, was missing from the basic formation. In an attempt to improve his team’s game, Steijn made a substitution at half-time. Van den Boomen came before Klaassen. Moments later, Berghuis was allowed to relieve the tired Forbs. It all helped little, because Matiás Tissera put Ludogorets ahead in the 62nd minute (0-1). Shortly after the opening goal, Bergwijn had to leave the field injured at Ajax.
Source: ANP
