Ajax’s Champions League hopes remain in their own hands after they defeated Midtjylland 3-1 in Amsterdam.
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Davy Klaassen was fit enough to start the game, allowing Erik ten Hag to name the same eleven that defeated Heracles Almelo 5-0 at the weekend. There was a minutes silence for Diego Maradona before the game, while Ajax’s players wore black armbands in tribute to the Argentine legend.
Ajax dominated from the start and Lassina Traore got a big chance early on but from close range he could only blast the ball over the bar. The strike also put another big chance over, while the bar also denied the striker.
Zakaria Labyad also got some clear cut chances but the midfielder could not find the net with goalkeeper Jesper Hansen making one excellent save. Nicolas Tagliafico put a header straight at Hansen and Perr Schuurs scuffed a shot wide as Ajax continued to waste chance after chance in the first half.
Within two minutes of the second half, Ajax finally had the lead with Ryan Gravenberch unleashing an excellent strike into the net from just outside the box.
It was then 2-0 moments later when Dusan Tadic slipped Noussair Mazraoui in on goal and the right-back slotted past Hansen.
Ten Hag was then forced into a change with Daley Blind going down clutching his hamstring. Lisandro Martinez replaced him, while Klaassen was given a rest with Edson Alvarez coming on.
A minute after the changes it was 3-0 as Lassina Traore shrugged off a defender which allowed Neres to smash the ball past Hansen.
Ajax were cruising but in the 78th minute, Mazraoui was penalised for a late challenge in the box and Mabil scored from the spot.
There was to be no comeback, though, and Ajax eased the victory in the end, with Midtjylland captain Erik Sviatchenko sent off late on.
The win moves Ajax onto seven points in the group, However, they remain level with Atalanta after they defeated Liverpool at Anfield. Ajax head to group leaders Liverpool next. It is going to go down to the wire in the group.
Good win. Ajax Amsterdam are doing fine.
Huntelaar should have been in for Traore and likely they could have won 5-1. Yes, they look to the future but Huntelaar is not getting used properly.