Ajax came from behind to hammer Heerenveen 5-1 and cap a great week for the club.
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Peter Bosz’s side took a big step towards the Europa League semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Schalke in midweek and they headed into Sunday’s tie full of confidence and with Kasper Dolberg back in their starting eleven. However, Heerenveen threatened to bring Ajax back down to earth when Reza Ghoochannejhad finished off a pass from Sam Larsson on eight minutes to put the visitors ahead.
Ajax regained control after the setback and on 24 minutes, Nick Viergever equalised when he diverted Davinson Sanchez’s header into the net from close range. Just after the half-hour mark, Matthijs de Ligt strode forward and after playing a one-two with Dolberg the 17-year-old fired Ajax ahead. The hosts then added a third before the break when David Neres set up Davy Klaassen for a simple tap-in.
Dolberg crowned his return by winning and then scoring a penalty on 68 minutes to make it 4-1 before Bosz handed right-back Deyovaisio Zeefuik his first team debut. Just before the end, Neres sealed the comfortable win after rounding Erwin Mulder.
Ajax now head into a crucial week which will see them travel to Germany on Thursday before a meeting with PSV Eindhoven next weekend. Heerenveen remain eighth.
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