Dec 20, 2023 at 8:41 PM Update: 2 minutes ago
Ajax Women once again pulled off a stunt in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Amsterdam team won 1-0 against Bayern Munich in the Johan Cruijff ArenA and therefore took over the top position in their group from the German club.
Ajax previously performed a stunt in the Arena against Paris Saint-Germain (2-0) and surprised with a point against Bayern (1-1) last week. In front of more than twenty thousand delirious fans, the home team went all out for the win on Wednesday. The initiative was rewarded just before half time: Romée Leuchter opened the scoring with a placed shot.
Ajax also had the upper hand in the second half, but in the final phase Bayern still pushed to force something. The quarter-finalist of last Champions League season targeted Regina van Eijk’s goal several times, but the keeper kept her goal clean.
The standings in group C have been quite shaken up after Wednesday evening. Ajax takes over the top position from Bayern, while Paris Saint-Germain rises to second place thanks to a narrow win over AS Roma (3-1).
All four clubs still have a chance of a place in the knockout phase. After the winter break, Ajax will face Paris Saint-Germain (January 24) and AS Roma (January 30). The best two teams advance to the quarter-finals in March.
Group C
Ajax 4-7 (-1) Paris Saint-Germain 4-6 (-2) Bayern Munich 4-5 (1) AS Roma 4-4 (2) Joy at Ajax with a cheering coach Suzanne Bakker. Photo: Pro Shots
Ajax deservedly takes the lead
Due to the favorable time, there were more (young) fans in the stands than in the opening match against Paris Saint-Germain and they made themselves heard, shouting and drumming. They had every reason to do so: Ajax started very offensively, which resulted in shooting opportunities for Leuchter (over) and Ashleigh Weerden (cross).
Just like against Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax seemed to gain wings due to the friendly atmosphere in the ArenA. Just before half time, a fantastic goal seemed to be in the making. Ajax showed an excellent attack, in which every pass was correct. Only perfection was missing in the finish: Lily Yohannes shot wildly over.
A few minutes later it happened. Leuchter was played excellently by Nadine Noordam. The 22-year-old Dutch international kept an overview and shot in flawlessly from the box with a low shot. For Leuchter it was her first goal in the Champions League.
Romée Leuchter made it 1-0 with a placed shot. Photo: ANP
Unnecessarily exciting
Milicia Keijzer seemed to put Ajax on a rose just after the break, but Bayern keeper Maria Luisa Grohs could barely prevent a second goal with her fists. Then the wave through the stadium was suddenly cut off when a shot from Bayern midfielder Sarah Zadrazil flew just past the left post.
After an hour of play, Rosa van Gool had the perfect opportunity to double the score, but she could not convert her free shooting opportunity into a goal. After Dutch international Jill Baijings came on for Bayern, the German club insisted. It resulted in a few shots, but Van Eijk was not impressed and returned several shots.
The ArenA held its breath several times during injury time, but Ajax took the victory. With this, coach Suzanne Bakker’s team created a bigger party in the ArenA than last Sunday, when the male Ajax players drew painfully against PEC Zwolle (2-2).
Feyenoord players grieving after the final whistle. Photo: Pro Shots
2023-12-20 19:41:42
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