Ajax has suffered their second league defeat of the season after Queensy Menig’s double handed FC Twente a shock 2-1 win in Amsterdam.
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Erik ten Hag was without Noussair Mazraoui and David Neres for the clash with Twente, while Antony and Edson Alvarez were on the bench. Ajax went with the fresh legs of Lassina Traore and Quincy Promes, while Zakaria Labyad was in midfield.
Ajax were sloppy from the start and in the 22nd minute, Twente took the lead as Queens Menig found space in the box to fire past Andre Onana into the far corner.
Just before the break, Traore was forced off injured and Brian Brobbey came on for the second half. The 18-year-old almost made an instant impact but fired over with an overhead kick.
Ten Hag’s frustrations on the touchline grew and that resulted in a triple substitution as Jurriën Timber, Lisandro Martínez and Antony came in for Perr Schuurs, Nicolas Tagliafico and Promes. On the hour, Ajax levelled as Labyad was brought down in the box and Dusan Tadic netted from the penalty spot.
Ajax did not raise their game after the equaliser and Joel Drommel remained unchallenged in the Twente goal. Antony saw a shot deflect off target in Ajax’s closest opportunity.
In the 84th minute, Twente restored their lead as Menig cut past Sean Klaiber before finding the corner. Klaas Jan Huntelaar was brought on but the veteran could not find the equaliser.
Ajax loses but remains top because Vitesse could not defeat PEC Zwolle. Twente is fifth. Ajax must now recover for their must-win Champions League clash with Atalanta Bergamo on Wednesday.