Ajax made it two wins from two in the Champions League group stages with an excellent 3-0 victory over Valencia.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
After defeating Lille two weeks ago, Ajax headed to Spain looking for another victory. Erik ten Hag started with Sergino Dest at right-back, while Quincy Promes was preferred over David Neres.
Ajax started brightly and went close through Donny van de Beek before Hakim Ziyech made it 1-0 in the eighth minute. The midfielder cut in fromt the right before sending a stunning strike past Jasper Cillessen and into the top corner.
Ajax were comfortable but in the 23rd minute, Edson Alvarez conceded a penalty for a silly foul on Gonçalo Guedes. However, Dani Parejo put his spot-kick over the bar.
After the penalty miss, Valencia continued to push forward but in the 34th minute it was 2-0 for Ajax. Promes provided the finish after being set up by Donny van de Beek.
Before the break it was nearly 3-0 but Ziyech’s effort came back off the bar before Nicolas Tagliafico put the rebound straight at Cillessen.
Valencia made a swift start to the second half but Andre Onana made an excellent save to keep it at 2-0, while the hosts also hit the post.
In the 67th minute, Ajax made it 3-0 thanks to van de Beek, who calmly fired past Cillessen after being played in on goal by Dusan Tadic.
That proved to be the final score as Ajax comfortably saw out an excellent victory which keeps them top of the group on six points. Chelsea defeated Lille 2-1 in the groups other tie.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
Let’s go Ajax. The Dutch are back with beautiful football.
Loved the game but also had mixed feelings seeing that Jasper was the one that was in goal. Great job Ajaz.
Congratulations to Ajax Amsterdam footballers and fans.
Unexpected but superb result for Ajax and for the Dutch coefficient as well! When I first saw this group I really thought reaching the knockout stages would be a tough ask, but they’ve got a genuine shot now, especially if they can snatch a win or even a point in the next 2 matches against Chelsea.
They need to button up their defense, though. Valencia were extremely unlucky to not get a goal or even 2. Veltman remains as pig-headed as ever, getting in players faces when he’s already on a yellow card. Sadly it doesn’t seem Ajax have any better options at CB as both Martinez and Alvarez are clearly gelling in midfield.