Ajax have lost the first leg of their last 16 tie with Copenhagen but take an away goal back to Amsterdam.
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Already without the suspended Joel Veltman and Davinson Sanchez, Peter Bosz also decided to drop Hakim Ziyech to the bench in Denmark for Donny van de Beek, citing the midfielder’s poor form and tiredness was behind the decision.
Copenhagen have been strong at home in Europe and after only 27 seconds they got themselves in front with Rasmus Falk firing past Andre Onana after ghosting past Daley Sinkgraven and van de Beek. Youssef Toutouh and Federico Santander then went close to adding another for the Danes as Ajax struggled in the opening stages.
However, in the 32nd minute some good work by Bertrand Traore resulted in Davy Klaassen providing a cross for Kasper Dolberg to volley in from close range. The young Dane was the first to score against Copenhagen in Europe at their own stadium so far this season.
The visitors then got a stroke of luck with Falk denied a second goal before the break by the offside flag and in the second half, Ajax started with confidence. Traore and Amin Younes were particularly dangerous going forward but that didn’t result in another Ajax goal.
Against the run of play, Copenhagen regained the lead as Ankersen raced past Sinkgraven before his cross was headed past Onana by Andreas Cornelius.
Bosz threw on Ziyech and David Neres as they searched for an equaliser, but Dolberg saw a goal harshly ruled out for a foul before Klaassen appealed for a penalty, which was not given. The captain’s arguments earned him a yellow card which rules him out of the second leg in Amsterdam.
Copenhagen held out for the win which gives them a slight advantage heading to the Amsterdam Arena next week. However, Dolberg’s away goal could prove crucial.
Watch highlights of the game here on our YouTube channel.
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