Ajax returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over bottom side Heracles Almelo in the Amsterdam Arena.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
Frank de Boer decided to rotate his strike force with Kolbeinn Sigthorsson rested for the Champions League next week and Arkadiusz Milik was given a start. The Polish forward made an instant impact to give Ajax the lead in the first minute with a low left footed drive into the corner after bundling into the box.
Ajax then squandered a number of good chances to double their lead with Anwar El Ghazi heading over from close range and Nicolai Boilesen rattling the woodwork, before Milik finally added a second in first half injury time with another fine finish from the edge of the box.
Minutes into the second half Lasse Schone struck the foot of the post with a fine strike from the edge of the box as Ajax failed to kill of their opponents.
Heracles grew in confidence the longer the second half wore on and they pulled a goal back with striker Wout Weghorst sending an excellent header past a fully stretched Jasper Cillessen. The away side then spent the final two minutes camped in the Ajax half, but Frank de Boer’s defence remained resolute and Ajax held on to claim the three points.
Ajax get their title defence back on track after two defeats, but the performance was still far from what is expected and they will need to improve greatly to stand up to PSG in the Champions League next week.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
