Ajax earned a much-needed 3-1 victory over Heerenveen on Saturday evening which keeps them top of the Eredivisie. Dusan Tadic was the star with two goals.
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Erik ten Hag headed into the game under pressure after a horror week saw them exit the Europa League and KNVB Cup, while also losing 2-0 against AZ Alkmaar last weekend. Earlier on Saturday, AZ also overtook the Amsterdammers into top spot with a win over ADO Den Haag.
Ten Hag decided to hand Jurrien Timber his debut in the starting eleven, while Lassina Traore returned up front. For Heerenveen, Ajax loanee Sven Botman started and looked to impress his parent side.
Heerenveen sensed blood in the first-half with Chidera Ejuke causing plenty of issues, but his big chance came in the 20th minute. The winger turned Daley Blind and raced in on goal but Andre Onana made an excellent save.
Tadic and Traore went close for Ajax but the biggest chance of the first-half fell for the hosts. Alen Halilovic should have tapped the ball into the net but ended up hitting it against his other foot and the chance was wasted.
Ajax were frustrated and Tadic showed that with a heated argument with Sergino Dest. The Ajax captain was not happy with the right-back’s performance and let him know that.
Ajax began the second half on top and within six minutes the scoreline was 3-0 for the visitors.
Tadic benefited by an error from Hicham Faik to net on 57 minutes, before the Serbian tapped in a second on the hour mark. Traore then set up Quincy Promes to hammer in a third goal in the 63rd minute.
Mitchell van Bergen pulled one back for Heerenveen with a lovely curled finish but that proved to be nothing but a consolation.
Ajax return to the top of the Eredivisie on goal difference, while Heerenveen are 11th.
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Sorry, but Tadic behaviour to Dest was abusive and “old school” .
He acted like a thuggish Regimental Sergeant Major, rather than a Captain. Getting right up into someone’s face like he did is not something to lionise and applaud.
Ajax spent heavily in summer to such little positive effect. What hope are they giving their own Academy players when they buy in young players from S America?
For me, Tadic is part of the problem at Ajax this season, not a solution.
He is not a Captain for the modern era.
Ajax got to the semis of the CL last season. That didn’t make them a top four team in Europe, as this season’s disappointing performances show all too clearly.